FIFA Confident Cup Will Go Fine

SAO PAULO — FIFA says it's "not afraid" things will go wrong at the start of the World Cup despite preparation problems in Brazil.

Football's governing body says it's "in control" of what needs to be done to get the tournament off to a good start in a week.

Secretary general Jerome Valcke says it's normal there's still work to be done in some stadiums.

He says "there's nothing where we are at risk" of having games affected, and said FIFA is confident the Brazilian government will do whatever possible to keep protests and strikes from disrupting the World Cup.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said it is "confident" after listening to the reports from local organizers on Thursday.