Brazilian banks will adapt opening hours to World Cup play

May 26, 2010, 18:58 GMT

   Brasilia - Brazilian banks are to change their opening hours on the days when Brazil plays in the upcoming World Cup in South Africa, the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Fedraban) said Wednesday.

The move will close banks whenever Brazil is playing to allow bank employees to join the rest of the country in watching the games. Brazilian streets normally empty when the national team is playing a major game.

Due to the time difference of five hours between football-crazy Brazil and South Africa, all World Cup evening games Monday to Friday would coincide with Brazilian banks' normal hours if no changes were made.

For Brazil's World Cup opener against North Korea on Tuesday, June 15, in Johannesburg, set to be played at 3:30 pm Brazilian time, banks are to close at 2 pm, an hour earlier than usual.

The match against Ivory Coast is scheduled for Sunday June 20. Since banks are closed on Sundays, no changes will be required.

Brazil's last game in Group G, on June 25, is set to be played at 11 am Brazilian time, so banks will close their doors 10:30 am-1:30 pm.

For later rounds in the tournament, banks will be required to announce their opening hours in advance, depending on how Brazil progress.

Brazil have won a record five World Cups.