SAO PAULO, June 9 -- Brazilian authorities have cleared Sao Paulo's Itaquerao stadium to host the World Cup opener between Brazil and Croatia on Thursday.

State news service Agencia Brasil said the city's fire department approved the venue following an inspection of its temporary stands on Monday.

The Itaquerao is scheduled to host six World Cup matches, including a semifinal on July 9.

Construction work at the venue has been marred by delays and the deaths of three workers.

The stadium will seat 61,600 fans, about 6,000 less than originally planned.