The iconic Maracanã Stadium will not be used for any of the nation's World Cup qualification matches ©Getty Images

The iconic Maracanã Stadium will not be used for any of the nation's World Cup qualification matches after the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) opted to stage their clash with Chile in October in São Paulo.

The decision from the CBF means the famous stadium in Rio de Janeiro, which hosted the World Cup final in 2014 and was a key venue at last year's Olympic Games, will not have staged any of Brazil's qualifiers for the 2018 tournament in Russia.

Brazil's encounter with South American rivals Chile on October 10, their final World Cup qualifier, had been expected to take place at the troubled Maracanã, which was originally built for the 1950 World Cup.

But issues surrounding the venue, which had fallen into disrepair after the Rio 2016 Olympics, where the venue hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and football finals, have forced the CBF to look elsewhere.

It will now be held at the Allianz Park in São Paulo, representing another blow to Rio 2016's legacy.

Earlier this year, Brazilian newspaper O Globo had reported that the venue, where Brazil won their first Olympic gold medal in football, had descended into an alarming "state of abandonment" following the Games.

Brazil are top of the South American Football Confederation qualification standings and have already guaranteed themselves a place at next year's World Cup in Russia ©Getty Images
Brazil are top of the South American Football Confederation qualification standings and have already guaranteed themselves a place at next year's World Cup in Russia ©Getty Images

Spotty patches of burned-out turf had marked the pitch, it was reported, while the grass had been allowed to grow far longer than normal.

Destroyed and maintained furniture, holes in the walls and exposed wires were all highlighted, along with electrical outages and a "noticeable smell of mould".

Pictures also revealed broken seats and a series of smashed windows at the venue.

A row over unpaid bills between Rio's state Government, who own the stadium, and operators Maracana SA has also developed since the Games.

The State Government remain saddled with debt, while Maracana SA's largest stakeholder, Odebrecht, is embroiled in a sprawling corruption scandal.

The situation has improved recently, although not enough for the CBF to select the Maracanã for their last Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier.

The stadium was used for the first time in almost two months back in March when Flamengo beat Argentinian side San Lorenzo 4-0 in front of 70,000 spectators.

Brazil are top of the South American Football Confederation qualification standings and have already guaranteed themselves a place at next year's World Cup in Russia.