RIO DE JANEIRO: FIFA fears are easing over whether the Curitiba stadium will be ready in time for the World Cup finals.

Last month secretary-general Jerome Valcke had warned that the stadium risked missing the last of a string of ‘final deadlines’ to be included in the schedule for matches at June and July’s finals in Brazil.

Curitiba is due to host four games and FIFA’s warning appears to have had an effect.

A FIFA statement said: “FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke believes that Curitiba is moving in the right direction.”

Valcke’s view was supported by Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo.

During a visit to the city, Rebelo expressed confidence in local organisers’ ability to show FIFA that the stadium would be ready.

He said: “The expectations are the best possible. There has been progress made on the pitch, on the number of workers and on equipment. This gives us more confidence that things have improved.”

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