RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff insists the country will host the "World Cup of World Cups" despite a series of setbacks to affect preparations for the event.
Rousseff used her Twitter account to counter FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who a day earlier accused Brazil of waiting too long to implement World Cup projects.
"Brazilians start 2014 confident that they are going to host the World Cup of World Cups," Rousseff said. "In Brazil, the World Cup is going to be at home because this is the home of football."
Brazil's World Cup preparations have been hit by construction delays to stadiums, roads, airports and hotels.
In addition, five workers have died at stadium construction sites, including two when a crane collapsed onto a facade at Sao Paulo's Itaquerao stadium in November.
Meanwhile nationwide anti-government protests that began during the Confederations Cup in June have continued in several cities.
Rousseff is adamant tourists will feel safe throughout the June 12-July 13 event, despite the likelihood of continued demonstrations.
"All who come to Brazil will be well received because we are happy and accommodating," Rousseff said.
"We love football and for that reason we are proud to be hosts."