SAO PAULO — Brazil was granted permission Thursday to host the Confederations Cup with six venues, although there are still concerns with stadium construction as the country reaches what FIFA is calling “a point of no return.” Football's governing body said the northeastern cities of Salvador and Recife will be part of the World Cup warm-up tournament next year. Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Fortaleza will also host matches. FIFA had previously announced the six cities as hosts, but said Recife and Salvador would only be ratified if they showed significant improvement in their preparations. They had until this month to convince FIFA that their stadiums would be ready in time for next year's competition. The Confederations Cup will be played June 15-30 among the six continental champions, the World Cup winner and the host team. Getting the venues ready is seen as the first big test of Brazil's capacity to prepare for the 2014 World Cup, and FIFA's decision confirming all six cities in the tournament came as relief to local organizers. But despite confirming the cities, FIFA said there is still reason for concern. It will be the first time the organization will accept having the stadiums ready less than six months before a tournament of such magnitude. Only the stadiums in Belo Horizonte and Fortaleza will be ready by the end of the year, which was the initial plan for all venues. “It's a huge challenge, the timeframe is very tight,” FIFA communications director Walter De Gregorio said. Seven teams have already secured their participation for next year's tournament: Asian champion Japan, CONCACAF Gold Cup winner Mexico, South American champion Uruguay, World Cup holder Spain, European runner-up Italy, Oceania champion Tahiti and host Brazil. The African Cup of Nations winner will be known in February. US to face Mexico The United States will face arch-rival Mexico away from home in the third game of the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying following a draw held in Miami Wednesday. After the six countries involved in the ‘hexagonal round' were unable to agree on the schedule of games, CONCACAF held a draw for the fixtures and the highly anticipated clash between the region's two powerhouses, almost certainly to be held at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, will be played on March 26. The US will host Mexico on Sept. 10 at a venue to be decided in the eighth round of fixtures to determine the three teams that will qualify automatically for the World Cup Finals in Brazil in 2014. Jamaica, Panama, Honduras and Costa Rica are also battling for their ticket to Rio and the fourth placed team in the round-robin qualifying process will face the winner of the Oceania qualifiers in a two-legged playoff for a spot in Brazil. Mexico, which is the favorite to top qualifying for the North and Central America and Caribbean region, starts its campaign at home to Jamaica on Feb. 6 while the US plays Honduras away. — Agencies
