FIFA and local organizers "have postponed the final test event at the troubled World Cup stadium in Sao Paulo, raising fresh uncertainty about Brazil's readiness to stage the tournament opener there," according to Tales Azzoni of the AP. Following concerns from local authorities, FIFA said Wednesday that a test match scheduled for Thursday "has been moved to the following Sunday to avoid disrupting the city's 'operational routine' on a working day." FIFA said that it also decided to stage the game on a weekend to “ensure it attracts more than 50,000” fans needed to properly test the venue. Less than 40,000 people "attended the first test match" at the Corinthians stadium in Sao Paulo last weekend (AP, 5/22). REUTERS' Andrew Downie reported there were concerns that the 4pm local time kickoff "could provoke traffic chaos in South America's biggest and often hugely congested city." That match "has been rescheduled for the day before and moved to a different venue, Portuguesa's Caninde Stadium." FIFA now said that they "will try to reschedule a game" for the 68,000 capacity Corinthians stadium on June 1. The opening match of the World Cup between Brazil and Croatia is due to be held at the stadium on June 12 (REUTERS, 5/21).
