Sao Paulo to Host Opening 2014 World Cup Game

FIFA has confirmed a new 65,000-seat stadium in Sao Paulo will host the opening ceremony and first match of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro’s world-famous Maracana stadium will be the venue for the competition’s final.

FIFA also stated that the World Cup will start on June 12 at the new Sao Paulo venue, which is currently under construction having faced a number of delays. All of the tournament’s 12 host cities will host at least four of the 64 matches. The final is scheduled for July 13.

The earliest matches will start at 13:00 local time while the latest games will kick off at 22:00. All matches in the knockout rounds will start no later than 17:00 local time.