Fifa Assures South Africa As Host

Following rumours earlier this year that the 2010 World Cup could be moved, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has put questions to rest, saying that there is no doubt that the tournament will be played in South Africa.

Blatter had admitted to having back-up plans for the World Cup after concerns were raised about the country’s crime rate as well as the possibility that the 10 stadiums would not be finished on time.

But the FIFA boss’s claims have soothed concern within the governing body that South Africa’s facilities will not be ready for 2010.

Regarding the security issue, Danny Jordaan, head of the Local Organising Committee, has assured that the issue is being taken extremely seriously, stating that the country has hosted 11 major events in the last 14 years without incident.

For the 2010 World Cup, South Africa will reportedly deploy 41,000 police officers specialised in crowd control, specifically for the event.

The Confederations Cup in June will be a test of how prepared the country is to host the World Cup. 

Now that FIFA has confirmed its confidence in South Africa’s status, it will become the first African country to host the World Cup.