World

Another World Cup stadium ready in Brazil but problems far from over for local organizers

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this photo released by Portal da Copa, workers stand in the Arena da Baixada stadium in Curitiba, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke is giving Brazilian organizers only a few more weeks to show that the stadium in Curitiba will be ready in time for the World Cup. Most of the delay at the venue, which was about 90 percent completed, was blamed on difficulties getting the needed funding for the construction. The stadium is being built mainly by local club Atletico Paranaense. (AP Photo/Portal da Copa, Paulino Menezes) (The Associated Press)

In this photo released by Portal da Copa, workers install seats at the Arena da Baixada stadium in Curitiba, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke is giving Brazilian organizers only a few more weeks to show that the stadium in Curitiba will be ready in time for the World Cup. Most of the delay at the venue, which was about 90 percent completed, was blamed on difficulties getting the needed funding for the construction. The stadium is being built mainly by local club Atletico Paranaense. (AP Photo/Portal da Copa, Paulino Menezes) (The Associated Press)

Brazilian organizers have delivered another World Cup stadium. Yet there is little reason to celebrate amid doubts on when or even if the remaining five venues will be ready in time for football's showcase tournament in June.

The Arena das Dunas in the northeastern city of Natal was inaugurated in a Wednesday ceremony attended by FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

The event comes a day after organizers admitted there is a serious risk that the southern city of Curitiba may be dropped from the tournament because of a delay in stadium construction.

Brazil's World Cup organizing committee admits that FIFA may have to consider a Plan B for holding the tournament's matches, which would be an embarrassment for the country and football's governing body.