The highlight of the event in the capital Brasilia was due to be the launch of the official poster for the tournament. 

Brazil has declared three days of national mourning following the country's deadliest fire in five decades, which reportedly started after a member of Gurizada Fandangueira, which was performing at the venue, lit a flare on stage on Saturday.

Four people have so far been arrested in connection with the incident.

Despite the tragedy, FIFA claimed that it maintained its confidence in Brazil's security plans for the World Cup.

Organisers said they felt "extremely sad for what happened" and expressed "their sympathy to the families of the victims".

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who began a four-day visit to Brazil yesterday, posted a message on his Twitter account expressing sympathy.

"Very sad to hear of the tragedy in southern Brazil. My condolences to the families of victims," wrote Valcke, who is scheduled to visit Fortaleza, Brasilia, Salvador and Rio de Janeiro during his trip.

Santa Maria, where the fire took place, is about 155 miles from Porto Alegre, one of the 12 World Cup host cities, in the same state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Officials from Rio 2016 expressed "solidarity with the families and friends of the victims of this tragedy," adding "it wishes a quick recovery to those affected."

The International Olympic Committee said that "we simply send our sympathies to friends and families".

The World Cup poster is now due to be unveiled on Wednesday (January 30) after a meeting of the Organising Committee in Rio de Janeiro.

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