FIFA officials visit Brazil to discuss 2014 World Cup preparations

FIFA officials in Brazil to discuss 2014 World Cup

SAO PAULO — FIFA concluded a weeklong visit to Brazil to discuss preparations for the 2014 World Cup by praising the local organizing committee.

“I’m very happy to see that the committee has been working hard,” FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said Friday.

Valcke and other FIFA officials met with organizers and government officials to get updates on the country’s arrangements ahead of soccer’s showcase.

They were in Rio de Janeiro on Friday and visited several areas to choose a venue for the World Cup qualifying draw next July and to find a location for the tournament’s media and broadcast center. FIFA said it will analyze the proposals made by local officials.

Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said FIFA is inclined to choose the historic Forte de Copacabana to host the draw, and that it picked a building near city hall to install offices ahead of the tournament. The mayor said the media center also is likely to be located in the same area.

Valcke said visits to the other 11 host cities are planned.

“We will dedicate the same attention to the other cities,” he said.

There was no word on whether Valcke reviewed Sao Paulo’s latest stadium proposal. Corinthians has announced it will build a new venue for the tournament but the project has not been officially presented to FIFA. It is the only host city without a current venue.