Maracana’s World Cup makeover finally starts

After months of delays, Brazil this week has started renovating its famed Maracana football stadium in Rio to get it ready for the 2014 World Cup, officials said Wednesday.

The makeover, estimated at 300 million dollars, started Tuesday and aims to get the 60-year-old ground into shape for soccer’s biggest tournament.

Following FIFA recommendations, the iconic venue’s capacity will be reduced from 88,000 to 83,000 and part of the structure may be demolished to give better sightlines for spectators.

The first stage of the renovations means seating will be temporarily halved to 45,000 places for the next few Brazilian-only matches to be played there, for instance Thursday’s game between Flamengo and Atletico Mineiro.

And in the next couple of months, authorities are going to decide when to fully close the stadium to permit a fuller overhaul.

Work is scheduled to be completed in December 2012.

The Maracana is classified as an historic monument so the facade will be maintained but a roof will be added to the five-storey oval stadium.