Delivery of Arena de Sao Paulo confirmed for December 2013

The delivery of the Arena de Sao Paulo, venue of the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, has been confirmed for 31 December 2013. This was agreed in a very constructive meeting between FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, Andres Sanchez, Corinthians representative in charge of the stadium, the CEO and president of the construction company Odebrecht, Benedicto B. da Silva; as well as Ricardo Trade, CEO of the Local Organising Committee (LOC). The meeting took place this Wednesday (15 May 2013) at the offices of the LOC in Riocentro.

"We are very satisfied with the meeting and with the fact that we could talk face to face. Sao Paulo will be an example for other cities to deliver the stadium in time, by 31 December. The discussion with Corinthians was very fruitful since we understand we both want the same goal, to have the stadium ready,” said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who added “It is also a special project because of the legacy it leaves for the east zone of Sao Paulo.”

“This was an excellent meeting. There was some misunderstanding but Sao Paulo and Corinthians are aware of their responsibilities. I have always been sure that we would host the opening game of the FIFA 2014 World Cup and now I am even more. The schedule agreed with FIFA will be respected,” said Corinthians representative Andres Sanchez.

“We have reached an agreement to guarantee the delivery of the stadium in Brazil’s biggest city on 31 December. There was no issue about our capacity to deliver the arena in time,” said the CEO of Odebrecht, Benedicto B. da Silva.

President Jose Maria Marin was very delighted by the good news ahead of tomorrow’s Local Organising Committee Meeting in Rio which he will chair: “I am very pleased with the result of this meeting and the commitment from all parties to make sure Sao Paulo as all the other FIFA World Cup venues will be delivered on time to ensure the best stage for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.”