Stadium keeps World Cup status

An aerial view of the Arena da Baixada taken in December displays the work that remains outstanding ahead of June’s finals.

• Curitiba’s Arena da Baixada retains World Cup status after satisfying FIFA


• FIFA Secretary General says it is ‘essential’ that progress is maintained


• Stadium set to host four World Cup group games

(CNN) — The delayed stadium in the Brazilian city of Curitiba has retained its World Cup status after satisfying FIFA that all was being done to get the Arena da Baixada ready for June’s finals.

Last month, world football’s governing body gave local organizers a deadline of 18 February by which to have made significant improvements or risk losing its four World Cup games.

One of these matches includes the final group game for world champions Spain against Australia on June 23.

Read: ‘No stadium, no match’ – FIFA warns Curitiba

“The special committee instigated by Brazil’s Ministry of Sports following an emergency meeting on January 21, consisting of representatives of Atletico Paranaense, the state of Parana and the city of Curitiba, has managed … to develop a comprehensive recovery plan which includes the solving of the financial challenges involved,” said FIFA in a statement.

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The Arena de Baixada venue, home to Atletico Paranaense in the southern state of Parana, is being expanded for the World Cup with new seats added alongside the pitch and capacity raised to 40,000.

Officials claim the stadium should now be ready by May 15, with work set to intensify yet further and a minimum of 1,500 workers guaranteed to be on-site.

Nonetheless, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke warned that the pace of improvement must not falter.

“It is essential that the works are maintained at the required levels and that a collective effort by all the stakeholders involved in Curitiba continues,” he said.

“It is a race against a very tight timeline and will require regular monitoring, but we are counting on the commitment made by the Atletico Paranaense, the city and the state of Curitiba.”

Some may question the decision to intensify work when six construction workers have died in the rush to meet FIFA’s World Cup deadlines.

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