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Curitiba stadium ready to host World Cup matches

FIFA have announced that the stadium in Curitiba will be ready for World Cup action.

Question marks were raised above the Arena de Baixada when it was feared the renovations to make it a World Cup-friendly venue would not be completed in time.

However, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said the home ground of Atletico Paranaense will be in good condition to hoist four World Cup fixtures later this year.

"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 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.

"Work will intensify, with a minimum of 1,500 workers on-site, to a level where the completion can certainly be envisaged for mid-May."

The four group stage fixtures to be held at the Arena da Baixada are: Iran v Nigeria (June 16); Honduras v Ecuador (June 20); Australia v Spain (June 23); Algeria v Russia (June 26).

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