<p>FIFA president Sepp Blatter has insisted Brazil is ready to host the World Cup, less than a week before football's showpiece event kicks off in Sao Paulo.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Preparations for the June 12-July 13 tournament have been hit by construction delays, budget overruns, protests and strikes, reports Xinhua.<br /><br />But speaking to the media here Thursday, Blatter vowed the country would stage a successful event.<br /><br />"We at FIFA, we are confident, it will be a celebration," Blatter said, adding that he was not worried about the threat of more protests.<br /><br />"I'm an optimist," he said. "After the tournament kicks off I think there will be a better mood."<br /><br />FIFA's secretary general Jerome Valcke said the 12 host venues were ready for the first fortnight of the event, which he described as the most difficult for organisers.<br /><br />"There are no risks for the opening weeks of the competition which are the most challenging because there are the most teams," he said.<br /><br />"We are in control, we have nothing to fear in the coming days."<br /><br />The World Cup will begin June 12 when hosts Brazil meet Croatia in their Group A clash at the 70,000-seat Itaquerao stadium. <br /></p>
<p>FIFA president Sepp Blatter has insisted Brazil is ready to host the World Cup, less than a week before football's showpiece event kicks off in Sao Paulo.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Preparations for the June 12-July 13 tournament have been hit by construction delays, budget overruns, protests and strikes, reports Xinhua.<br /><br />But speaking to the media here Thursday, Blatter vowed the country would stage a successful event.<br /><br />"We at FIFA, we are confident, it will be a celebration," Blatter said, adding that he was not worried about the threat of more protests.<br /><br />"I'm an optimist," he said. "After the tournament kicks off I think there will be a better mood."<br /><br />FIFA's secretary general Jerome Valcke said the 12 host venues were ready for the first fortnight of the event, which he described as the most difficult for organisers.<br /><br />"There are no risks for the opening weeks of the competition which are the most challenging because there are the most teams," he said.<br /><br />"We are in control, we have nothing to fear in the coming days."<br /><br />The World Cup will begin June 12 when hosts Brazil meet Croatia in their Group A clash at the 70,000-seat Itaquerao stadium. <br /></p>