FIFA: Brazil city staying in World Cup, despite delayed stadium

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The Arena da Baixada continues under construction in Curitiba, Brazil, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014. FIFA and Brazilian organizers are doing everything possible to keep the southern city of Curitiba in the World Cup soccer stadium despite a significant delay in stadium construction, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said on Friday. (AP Photo/Denis Ferreira Netto)

FLORIANOPOLIS, Brazil – Soccer’s governing body says a southern Brazilian city will host matches during this year’s World Cup, despite serious delays in the renovation of a stadium.

FIFA says Tuesday on its official press Twitter account that the city of Curitiba is going to host the four World Cup matches slated to be played in the Arena da Baixada stadium.

Last month, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke gave local organizers an ultimatum: Drastically speed up construction or be dropped from the tournament.

While the city remains as a host for matches, the situation is an embarrassment for Brazil’s government.

It has hoped to use the World Cup as a showcase event to show the world the economic, political and social advances made in the past decade.

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