One hundred days before the first kick-off between Brazil and Japan, at the National Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia, two of the six grounds that will be used are already being tested: the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte and the Castelão in Fortaleza. At the Mineirão, the match between Brazil and Chile on 24 April will serve as an official FIFA test event. The stadium will also be the venue of a Paul McCartney concert on 3 May. The other four stadiums are at the final stages of construction.

 

At the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, attention is being given to the finishing touches and a number of tests are being run on several systems, such as the safety and security, fire fighting, electrical, information technology, radio, telephone and hydraulics. The stadium is expected to be inaugurated on 7 April with local derby between Bahia and Vitoria. In the Confederations Cup, the biggest match to be held at the ground will be the game between Brazil and Italy, on 22 June.

 

In Brasilia, at the National Mané Garrincha Stadium, the assembly of the roof has gone into its last stage. Similar to a “inverted bicycle wheel" system, the roof is made up of a prestressed structure with metal cables and trusses, which will cover all of the 71 thousand seats. When the roof is finished, the seats will be assembled and the pitch will be laid down. The stadium, which will be the stage of the tournament’s opening match will be delivered on 21 April, the anniversary of Brazil’s capital city.

 

Over 90% of construction works at the Pernambuco Arena, in São Lourenço da Mata (Recife metropolitan region), has been finished. The stadium's stands are ready and the seats are being assembled. The roof was finished at the end of February and the ground’s inauguration date has been set for 14 April.

 

In February, the roof and seats started being assembled at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, stage of the grand final.  In all, 5,500 builders are at work at the ground, which will have capacity for 79 thousand people when ready. The stadium is expected to be delivered in April. On 2 June, the stadium will be the stage of another Brazil and England friendly - the two teams met on 6 February, with the English beating the Brazilians 2-1.

Starting today, the World Cup Portal shall publish articles with details about each of the six Confederations Cup host cities and national teams that will compete in the most important football tournament, before the 2014 World Cup.

 

 

Further information can be accessed at www.copa2014.gov.br