FOOTBALL : Brazil bruised by stadium woes

With time pressing, the Sao Paulo stadium to be used for the World Cup's opening game between Brazil and Croatia on 12 June has still not held a test game in front of a major crowd.

It is one of four of the 12 World Cup stadiums that have still not been finished.

Fifa originally demanded the stadiums be ready for 31 December but deadline after deadline has passed and eight workers have been killed in construction accidents.


Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke said recently that world football's governing body had "been through hell" trying to force the pace.

SAO PAULO: 69 160 capacity

The Corinthians Arena was delayed by accidents in which three workers have been killed and there were problems installing temporary stands.

Delivery date: The first test where a full capacity will be allowed is to be held on 18 May, with another possible three days later.

Cost: With the price tag estimated at up to 950 million reals ($424 million), it is about 15 per cent over budget.

CURITIBA: 43 000 capacity

The pitch was laid just ahead of a Fifa inspection in April, but the temporary stands are not complete. Fifa threatened to drop the venue before relenting in February when the workforce was bolstered.

Delivery date: Not known

Cost: 320 million reals ($142 million).

CUIABA: 44 000 capacity

A worker was electrocuted to death Thursday at the Pantanal Arena, which was to have been finished by October. Some seats are still to be installed but the stadium is said to be 98 per cent ready.

Delivery date: The inauguration was due 20 May and handover to Fifa the following day.

Cost: 570 million reals ($255 million)

PORTO ALEGRE: 49 989 capacity

President Dilma Rousseff symbolically inaugurated the Beira-Rio stadium, which belongs to the Internacional club, on April 6. A test game was attended by 10 000 people, but work remains on some temporary facilities.

Progress: Asphalt outside the stadium has still not been completely laid.

Cost: 330 million reals ($147.2)

MANAUS: 40 000 capacity

The sweltering Amazonia Arena will host England against Italy on 14 June, among other games. A first test was held on 9 March before 20 000 spectators.

Cost: 670 million reals ($299 million).

NATAL: 42 000 capacity

The Arena das Dunas was inaugurated by President Rousseff and Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke on 22 January and held a first test match a month later. It is the only venue not used in the Confederations Cup last year now totally ready and tested.

Cost: 400 million reals ($178.5 million).

RIO DE JANEIRO: 78 838 capacity

After a three-and-a-half year closure for refurbishment, the mythical Maracana stadium reopened for the Confederations Cup last year. It will host seven matches, including the final.

Cost: 1.2 billion reals $535 million).

BRASILIA: 72 000 capacity

The Mane Garrincha stadium was inaugurated for the Confederations Cup. There were teething problems with the pitch and the guttering.

Cost: 1.4 billion reals ($625 million).

BELO HORIZONTE: 62 160 capacity

The Mineirao stadium underwent three years of renovation and hosted last year's Copa Libertadores final.

Cost: 695 million reais ($310 million).

FORTALEZA: 63 903 capacity

The Castelao stadium was the first of the venues to be ready.

Cost: 518 million reals ($231 million)

RECIFE: 46 000 capacity

The Pernambuco arena was just about ready for the Confederations Cup last year.

Cost: 532 million reals ($237 million)

SALVADOR: 55 000 capacity

The Fonte Nova stadium will host a clash between defending champions Spain and beaten 2010 finalists Netherlands on 13 June.

Cost: 690 million reals ($307 million).