After a series of building problems and public protests in Brazil, the governing body of world football, Fifa, repeatedly warned there would be “no compromise” over the delivery of World Cup stadiums. But with Fifa’s endof- year deadline looming, several stadiums are well behind schedule and one host city, Cuiaba, has told the BBC that not only will it be unable to finish its stadium on time, but there are not even enough hotel rooms for visiting fans.

Even though Fifa only insisted on a minimum of eight stadiums to host the World Cup, Brazil decided to go with 12, such was the interest and demand from all parts of this huge nation to be part of the tournament. But, in hindsight, has Brazil bitten off more than it can chew? Up in the city of Manaus, they are finishing an arena that bears some resemblance to the famous Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing: an elaborate steel structure, imported from Portugal, envelops the playing area like an indigenous woven basket.

(Taken from www.bbcnews.com)

GLOSSARY
looming – expiring
in hindsight – looking back now

The question, in bold type in the article, makes us reflect that Brazil