Tickets for next year's World Cup in Brazil should be the cheapest ever sold in the competition's history, according to a statement by Fifa, the international governing body of football. Jérôme Valcke, Fifa's secretary general and the organization's No. 2, said that 70 percent of the tickets will be cheaper than those of the past editions while tickets for the opening game and the playoffs will not be reduced. Both Valcke and Fifa's president, Sepp Blatter, praised the recent Confederations Cup, despite the demonstrations involving millions of Brazilians who took to the streets. The tournament ended on June 30, with the host Brazil claiming victory over the world champion, Spain, in the final. Fifa and the Brazilian government were the targets of the mass protests, in connection with the investment of a large amount of public funds in preparation for the events, which could have been devoted to struggling hospitals or schools, and Fifa's gaining profits exempt from tax. Building work at some stadiums was completed only shortly before the start of the Confederations Cup and doubts remain whether or not the country will be ready for the World Cup in 2014. Brazil is also due to host the Summer Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

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