PARIS, September 10 - (Reuters) -
The first grass was laid a month ahead of schedule on Wednesday at the new Stade de France where Brazil begin their defense of soccer's World Cup next June.
The pitch is costing 10 million French francs ($1.6 million), just under 0.5 percent of the total project cost of 2.6 billion francs. The impressive 80,000-capacity space-age stadium is due to be completed at the end of November and opened with a France-Spain friendly on January 28.
France's new national ground, replacing the Parc des Princes, will also be used for rugby union internationals and rock concerts.
