Sepp Blatter confident that the World Cup will be a success

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said that he expects the World Cup in Brazil to be a successful tournament and is confident that everything will run smoothly.

Sao Paulo hosts the opening game next week as Brazil and Croatia kick things off amid transportation strikes from subway workers which started on Thursday.

These are just the latest strikes and protests to hamper the host nation ahead of the start of the tournament next week.

Blatter insisted that he is confident Brazil will deliver a well-run event, claiming it will be "a celebration" while speaking at the Organising Committee News Conference in Sao Paulo on Thursday.

He said: "We at FIFA, we are confident. I'm an optimist. After the tournament kicks off, I think there will be a better mood."

The World Cup gets underway when Croatia face hosts Brazil on Thursday, June 12.