MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil’s Sports minister to step down six months before World Cup starts

Minister Aldo Rebelo is planning to run for governor of Sao Paulo (Pic AP)

Just six months before his country hosts the World Cup, Brazil Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo said Wednesday he is stepping down to stand as Sao Paulo state governor. December sees a FIFA deadline for all 12 World Cup venues to be ready amid lingering doubts that the giant country can revamp sagging infrastructure in time.

Rebelo, of the Communist Party, has played a key role in the organization of the sporting jamboree -- the multibillion-dollar cost of which has sparked public protests in recent months.

Rebelo insisted his decision to concentrate on his state governorship ambitions would not hit World Cup preparations.

“It would be very much to overestimate my function and role. This is the 20th World Cup -- the other 19 took place without my participation,” he quipped. He added he had yet to inform President Dilma Rousseff.

The government and Rebelo, who must by law leave his post by April if he is to stand as governor, maintain all the tournament venues will be ready by FIFA December 31 deadline.

Even so, football's world governing body said only last week that Brazil still “has work to do”.

Brazil will hold presidential, general and state gubernatorial elections in October of next year.