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      Blatter: "The World Cup in Brazil is already a success"

      The FIFA president cites higher-than-expected interest in the World Cup, with over nine million ticket requests so far; "I fully agree with President Dilma Rousseff when she says that the world is eager for the Cup. I am convinced that Brazil will be a great host"; he affirms that he has full confidence in the local authorities regarding the security of the event and the delivery of all planned stadiums: "The Confederations Cup showed that security worked. We had no major incidents during the tournament."

      FIFA President cites higher-than-expected interest in the World Cup, with over nine million ticket requests so far; "I fully agree with President Dilma Rousseff when she says that the world is eager for the Cup. I am convinced that Brazil will be a great host"; he states that he has full confidence in the local authorities regarding the security of the event and the delivery of all planned stadiums: "The Confederations Cup showed that security worked. We had no major incidents during the tournament" (Photo: Roberta Namour)

      247 - FIFA President Joseph Blatter reaffirmed his support for Brazil, stating that the 2014 World Cup is already a success, with over nine million ticket requests. "I fully agree with President Dilma Rousseff when she says that the world is eager for the World Cup. Brazil is the country of football. I am convinced that it will be a great host."

      Blatter dismissed any friction in his relationship with the government and said he has full confidence in local authorities regarding security, even in the face of likely protests: "The Confederations Cup showed that security worked. We didn't have any major incidents [during the tournament]."

      Regarding the delivery of the stadiums, he affirms that everything will be ready on time. “The Arena Corinthians is delayed because of an accident that caused the death of two workers. That was very sad, but I am sure that Corinthians and [the city of] São Paulo are doing everything to deliver the stadium by mid-April,” he said.

      Even the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, which recently received an ultimatum from FIFA, doesn't seem to worry Blatter. "The Minister of Sport, Aldo Rebelo, guaranteed that the stadium in Curitiba will be ready," he stated. The Paraná state government submitted another financing request this Wednesday to the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), for R$ 250 million, to complete the Arena and other works in time for the World Cup. The city is scheduled to host four World Cup matches, all in the first round.

      Read here The interview given by Joseph Blatter to Folha de S. Paulo.