Tales Azzoni – San Francisco Chronicle, 10/21/2012
Organizers of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil said Thursday they are certain the northeastern city of Recife will be ready in time to host next year’s Confederations Cup — even though FIFAhas yet to give it the go-ahead.
At a meeting of the organizing committee, its president Jose Maria Marin read out a letter from Pernambuco State Governor Eduardo Campos assuring FIFA that the Recife stadium will be ready on April 14 — about two months ahead of the World Cup warm-up tournament.
“We shouldn’t doubt the words of a governor,” Marin said. “We have a signed letter by him here.”
Brazil Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo, the government official in charge of the country’s preparations for the World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics, also said Recife will be ready.
“I’m confident the Arena Pernambuco will be delivered in time,” he said. “The work has been progressing at a fast pace and the numbers show that it will be possible for the venue to be ready for the Confederations Cup. In November we will be able to have that confirmed.”
