Brazil overcame Confed Cup challenge: minister

Brazil has met the challenge of hosting the Confederations Cup, its sport minister insisted today, despite street protests against the billions being spent on the 2014 World Cup.

The Confederations Cup is widely seen as a dry run for next year’s global sporting spectacle, and the matches have been played against a backdrop of mass demonstrations that have caused some to question if Brazil is ready.

“The country faced and overcame the challenge of offering the structure, the logistics to enable the games to take place,” Aldo Rebelo said, adding that Brazil had met all the criteria set by football governing body FIFA.

He expressed confidence that Brazil will be able to organize the World Cup next year “in line with expectations.”

Rebelo stressed that the country had agreed to FIFA’s requirements when it was chosen as host, including renovating or building 12 stadiums, upgrading airports and urban mobility projects as well as expanding hotel capacity.

The Confederations Cup is due to end on June 30 with a final at the Maracana Stadium’s Rio — and protesters have vowed to march on the venue.

President Dilma Rousseff was to meet later Monday with protest leaders, state governors and local officials to agree measures to improve the quality of life for the 194 million Brazilians.

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