Curitiba stadium given World Cup go-ahead
By Kris Voakes
Feb 18, 2014 6:45:00 PM
Construction issues at the Arena da Baixada had put its hosting rights in question, but Fifa has given the venue the green light
Curitiba's Arena da Baixada will retain its hosting rights for this summer's World Cup despite facing a race against time to be ready for its first game, Fifa has revealed.
The venue, which is due to stage four group matches, has run into a series of delays due to various construction issues during its renovation, including a lengthy enforced stoppage after an investigation in October 2013 into serious safety breaches.
However, after a detailed inspection of the site, Fifa has decided not to move the games to alternative venues, deciding that the Curitiba team had done enough to warrant the world governing body's faith in the project.
"It's a race against a very tight deadline. Collective effort by all the stakeholders involved in Curitiba must continue at highest pace," tweeted Fifa general-secretary Jerome Valcke, announcing the decision.
He added that the continuation with the project was "based on the financial guarantees, the commitment by all stakeholders and progress made."
Iran will take part in the opening encounter at the renovated stadium against Nigeria in Group F on June 16, with Honduras facing Ecuador four days later.
Australia and Spain will clash at the arena on June 23 before the final fixture between Algeria and Russia on June 26.
