President Dilma Rousseff said Tuesday her country was ready to host the World Cup in two days, rejecting criticism of delays, overspending and chaos in the tournament's preparations. However organizing the cup was tough, but she insisted that the 12 stadiums were ready and told foreign fans that Brazil would welcome them with open arms like Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue.
Days after reports that US/Puerto Rican singer Jennifer Lopez had canceled her performance with Pitbull and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte at Thursday opening ceremony in Brazil, her representative retracted and said that she will be there, People magazine reported.
At least eleven heads of state and government have confirmed their attendance at the opening ceremony of the World Cup, next Thursday (12th), in São Paulo, and a total of 20 leaders will be watching World Cup matches.
Police in Sao Paulo fired tear gas Monday to disperse protesters supporting a subway strike that has unleashed transport chaos three days before the Brazilian mega-city hosts the World Cup kick-off.
Police in Brazil have used tear gas to break up protesters on the second day of a metro strike that has left Sao Paulo's transport in chaos. Nearly half of the stations were closed and there was gridlock on the streets of Brazil's largest city, which will host the opening match of the World Cup next Thursday.
Argentina confirmed on Thursday World Cup nationwide transmission free service both on television and radio. Channel 7, DeporTV and Radio Nacional will be responsible for delivering the service, thus fulfilling President Cristina Fernandez government’s promise of the ”World Cup for the whole country”.
The remaining tickets for the most important World Cup matches were sold out fast on Wednesday, disappointing hundreds of fans who waited in line across Brazil.
As Brazil rushes to finish stadiums and deal with a wave of protests ahead of the June 12 kick-off, president Dilma Rousseff partly blamed FIFA for the spiraling World Cup bill but said the money spent would leave a positive legacy.
Brazilians pessimism about the future of the economy has increased considerably with just a few days left for the opening of the World Cup, according to a public opinion poll released by Pew Research.
Football fans have one more chance to experience the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil live in the 12 stadiums. announced FIFA. As of 00.01 Brazilian time on Wednesday, 4 June 2014, about 180,000 tickets will be up for sale on www.FIFA.com/tickets, in addition to those tickets that are currently available. There will be tickets for all 64 matches.