Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke voiced doubts yesterday that Brazil will have all six stadiums ready for the Confederations Cup in June 2013 due to the slow pace of preparations. The tournament is considered a dress-rehearsal for the World Cup that Brazil is hosting the following year at 12 stadiums which are being upgraded or rebuilt from scratch in Brazils largest cities.

“At this pace, we are not going to have six stadiums ready for the Confederations Cup,” he told reporters after visiting the 66,800-capacity Minerao stadium, home to Atletico Mineiro and Cruzeiro.Fifa has given the six cities until mid-November to prove they are on track. If they are not, they could be dropped from the tournament. Fifa has contingency plans to play the matches in five or even four cities if necessary.