Rio de Janeiro, April 26 (IANS): FIFA is upbeat about Brazil hosting the World Cup after months of heaping criticism on the country for delays in preparations.
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, in Brazil to inspect the event's progress, said Friday he was looking forward to toasting the inauguration June 12 with the national cocktail - caipirinha - and celebrating the closing July 13 with champagne, reports Xinhua.
"There are 48 days to go before the Cup. The organisation has been difficult. The day of the opening, sports minister Aldo Rebelo and I are going to have some caipirinhas and think about all the work that's been done. Then after the final, we will open a bottle of champagne to celebrate a great World Cup," said Valcke.
Valcke downplayed a few remaining problems such as three yet incomplete stadia, including Sao Paulo Arena which will be hosting the opener between Brazil and Croatia, and the lack of arrangements for press centres, sponsors and volunteers.
"It's always difficult to organise a World Cup. It is a huge event," acknowledged Valcke, saying problems afflicted the previous South Africa World Cup "and we will also face them in Russia (host in 2018) and in Qatar (2022)".