SAO PAULO (AP) ― FIFA is beginning its final tour of World Cup host cities ahead of football’s showcase event.
With kickoff less than 20 days away, the governing body is having one last look at the cities’ often troubled preparations across Brazil.
FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke starts the second half of his inspection tour to the 12 host cities on Monday. He visited six cities last week and will tour the others through Thursday.
It is the last time Valcke is expected to check on the host cities before the World Cup gets underway with Brazil playing Croatia on June 12.
FIFA’s tour takes place as Brazil’s national team begins practicing in Rio de Janeiro on Monday and as Australia becomes the first team to arrive for the World Cup on Wednesday.
“We’re very close now,” Valcke said. “Soon we’re going to hand the tournament over to the players and the 32 teams. There is very little left to worry about. We just need to make sure the teams arrive safely and get to their training centers so they can begin preparing for the tournament.”
Valcke begins his final tour in Rio de Janeiro, which will host the World Cup final at the Maracana on July 13. He will then travel to the jungle city of Manaus and the northeastern cities of Fortaleza, Natal, Recife and Salvador.
