A top official says Brazil is more than a year behind schedule in its construction projects for the 2014 soccer World Cup.

The president of SINAENCO, a Brazilian architectural and engineering association, says the government must improve its efforts or risk losing investment and the chance at hosting future events.

"Brazil is more than a year behind," Jose Roberto Bernasconi said Tuesday at SINAENCO's annual meeting.

"The authorities have to get involved."

Bernasconi said the World Cup will "promote Brazil and attract more investment in the future".

But all that is at risk if construction deadlines are not met.

Brazil hosted the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro last year without major glitches. Brazil is bidding for the 2016 Olympics, which also would take place in Rio.

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