FIFA criticized Brazil for waiting too long to begin preparations for the 2014 World Cup, which is less than six months away. Because of the expected continuation of the Brazilian protests, security will be a high concern during the games, the Associated Press reports.
Brazil failed to meet FIFA's end-of-the-year deadline to have all 12 stadiums completed and ready for the summer. As of now, only six stadiums are ready to be handed over to FIFA. Although financial problems and construction accidents have caused delayed, FIFA president Sepp Blatter blames Brazil for not starting preparation earlier.
"Brazil has just realized what it means to organize a World Cup," Blatter said in an interview with Swiss newspaper 24 Heures, via the Associated Press. "They started a lot too late. It is the country which is the furthest behind since I've been at FIFA and moreover, it's the only one that had so much time - seven years - to prepare itself."
Brazil Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo disagreed with Blatter's assessment and believes everything will be ready for the games, which begin on June 12.
"The information arriving at the Ministry of Sports, information sent by the authorities in the host cities, and details gathered by the minister himself - who visits the sites every three months - shows that the country will be ready on time," said Rebelo. "Brazil has worked to prepare the World Cup since it was chosen to host the tournament."
Another concern is the protests occurring in Brazil. The protesters are angry about "higher bus fares, corruption and poor public service, and ... the billions of dollars being spent on the World Cup and 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro," according to the Associated Press.
The protests, which saw millions take to the streets, are making security a top priority for FIFA.
"(The World Cup will have) the highest level of security you can imagine," said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke.
