Rio Declares Public Holidays to Cope With Traffic in World Cup

Rio de Janeiro, the city that will host soccer’s World Cup final, has decreed three public holidays during the tournament to try to ensure the city’s growing traffic problems don’t interfere with the event.

Rio’s municipal government announced an entire day’s holiday for the July 4 quarterfinal at the city’s Maracana stadium. It also approved half-day holidays for World Cup holder Spain’s game with Chile on June 18, and the June 25 match between Ecuador and 1998 champion France. In total, Rio will stage seven games in the monthlong tournament, the others being played on weekends. The final is on July 13.