Sao Paulo World Cup stadium over 80 percent complete

Sao Paulo, July 17 (IANS)

General view of the Arena Sao Paulo under construction on January 24, 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Arena Sao Paulo (aka Itaquerao) will be one of the 12 venues to host FIFA Brazil 2014 World Cup. (Photo by Daniel Vorley/Getty Images)

Construction work at Sao Paulo’s Itaquerao World Cup stadium is over 80 percent complete, the venue’s owner Corinthians said.

The Brazilian top-flight club said in a statement Tuesday that a new building phase would begin this week, including the installation of support structures for the stadium’s roof, reports Xinhua.

The news comes two months after FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke expressed concern at the slow pace of work at the venue.

FIFA has warned that Brazil’s 12 World Cup stadiums must be ready by Dec 31 or they will be taken off the tournament schedule.

The 65,000-seat Itaquerao will stage six World Cup fixtures, including the opening match and one of the semifinals.