Brasilia new World Cup stadium unveiled

FIFA- Named after one of the greatest players in the history of Brazilian football, and the fifth 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ stadium to be completed and handed over, the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia Mane Garrincha was officially opened on Saturday.

The stadium will host the opening match of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 between Brazil and Japan on 15 June.

Attending the ceremony, which took place before the Federal District league championship final between Brasilia and Brasiliense, were the President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff, Brazilian Minister of Sport Aldo Rebelo, the Governor of the Federal District of Brasilia Agnelo Queiroz and the CEO of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Organising Committee (LOC) Ricardo Trade.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, who was unable to attend the opening, sent a message of congratulations addressed, in particular, to the people of Brazil.

“There are some amazing stadiums that have taken shape, changing the face of Brazil’s football infrastructure and creating a legacy that will extend beyond the final whistle,” said Blatter. “The Estadio Nacional de Brasilia Mane Garrincha is one of these stadiums, a tribute to a true FIFA World Cup legend. I can still recall his incredible play in 1958 and in 1962 in particular. They were unforgettable moments. There are few Brazilian cities that can match Brasilia when it comes to architecture, and this impressive new stadium is a reflection of that.”