In an attempt to win understatement of the year, the top Brazilian government official responsible for the World Cup has admitted that his country could have done things better in the lead-up to this year’s event.
Preparations have been beset by problems including spiralling costs and chronic delays at almost every one of the 12 new and refurbished stadiums that will stage matches.
Almost all of the urban mobility projects that had been promised for the month-long football showpiece either won’t be ready in time or were scrapped entirely.
“What we did and are doing reflects the possibilities of hosting a Cup in a country with the conditions of Brazil,” Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo told reporters in Brasília on Friday.
“These are the historic conditions of every country. We’ll do it within our capabilities.”
Rebelo was asked what could have been done to prepare Brazil better for the World Cup.
“Everything,” he responded.
Since the Confederations Cup of June last year, protests have swept across the country as people air their grievances at Brazil’s crippled infrastructure and inadequate public services. In the face of this, many see the World Cup as an inexcusable waste of public funds.
Brazilian support for the event has hit its lowest point thus far with only half of the 200 million population now in favour of the event.