Arthur explained to me that, while he still enjoyed watching and writing about football, he could no longer bear going into stadiums and being among crowds.
Some believe it will provide a refreshing change, with the use of existing stadiums avoiding the usual immense outlay and fans in countries that would not be able to host the tournament alone being involved.
Debate about the white elephant stadiums has died down.
With stadiums already under construction in Russia for the 2018 tournament, it would pose a huge logistical challenge to throw that tournament into doubt.
Carlos Botella, the head groundsman for the Spain-based Royal Verd company which is responsible for the turf at Manaus and six other World Cup stadiums said: "We've started to implement an emergency plan to try to save the field and improve it as much as possible, but I don't think it'll be in good condition by the weekend".
One of America's most iconic sports stadiums looks doomed to destruction after Houston-area voters spurned a rescue plan for the Astrodome.
"Stadiums can be expensive but roads often spiral way over budget.
The producers wanted to examine the impact the World Cup has on its host cities, so travelled to Leipzig, Johannesburg and Rio de Janeiro to collect stories from people who live near the football stadiums used in the last three tournaments.
Similarly the pre-World Cup claim that stadiums would become white elephants seem to be being born out in some cases.
Altogether, the 12 World Cup stadiums have staged 218 games, with an average attendance of 18,300 (just above the national average), according to a study published in the Folha newspaper.
He said there are "some low apples they can pick off easily", and few will argue with tighter regulation of agents or having safer stadiums.
