World Cup preparations continue in Sao Paulo and Brasilia
World Cup cities Brasilia and Sao Paulo have stepped up their preparations for the tournament this week, with work on both of their respective new stadiums making good progress.
The initial stage of roof installation at the Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia took place last weekend. The process took eight days to complete, and was backed by state governor Agnelo Queiroz.
The impressive structure features 48 suspension cables, with a total length of 6.5km, and installation of the supporting metal trusses is now set to begin. The roof is due to be completed in March, and the state government has already made a guarantee to FIFA that the stadium will be ready by the April 15th deadline.
Meanwhile, the Itaquerão Stadium in Sao Paulo finished the year around 60 per cent complete, and should be ready by December 2013.
An estimated 2,000 workers are set to work on the stadium, which will also become the new home of local club side Corinthians.
Organisers announced before the New Year that two of the country's stadiums for the competition had already been completed.
