Blatter: Brazil will deliver a "wonderful" World Cup.
"With Brazil's power, and I'm not just talking about economic power, but also willpower, Brazil will be ready and will deliver a wonderful World Cup," said FIFA President Joseph Blatter to reporters at a press conference at FIFA headquarters.
ZURICH, March 19 (Reuters) FIFA President Joseph Blatter said on Tuesday that he is calm despite recurring problems in Brazil's preparations for the 2014 World Cup, and noted that delays are part of the tournament preparation process.
"With Brazil's power, and I'm not just talking about economic power, but also willpower, Brazil will be ready and will deliver a wonderful World Cup," Blatter told reporters at a press conference at FIFA headquarters on Tuesday.
"When there's a year or less to go before the start of the World Cup, there's always the question of whether they'll be ready. But they will be ready, because it's the World Cup and nobody can afford not to be ready," he stated.
"There is no problem and I can say with certainty, do not be afraid. It's all a matter of trust, and on the FIFA side, the trust is total," added Blatter, sitting next to the Minister of Sport, Aldo Rebelo.
Brazil's preparations have been marked by delays in stadium and infrastructure construction, and deadlines have been repeatedly postponed.
The Maracanã stadium, whose initial FIFA schedule projected completion in December 2012 for this year's Confederations Cup, will not be delivered until April 27th.
Blatter said he is not worried.
"I would never compare the host countries to the punctuality of Swiss trains," he added.
"We have a universal perspective and we don't need this precision. Comparison doesn't work for me because I'm a bit more universal."
(Reporting by Brian Homewood in Bern)