Fifa makes 2010 Cup back-up plan

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has admitted football's governing body has contingency plans in case South Africa cannot host the World Cup in 2010. South Africa's preparations have been dogged by delays and there are fears its stadia will not be ready.

Blatter said: "Other countries are ready to organise the World Cup", although he implied they would not be needed.

Blatter cited a list of countries that could step in, including England.

The others he mentioned were the United States, Mexico, Japan and Spain.

"Definitely we have a possibility to go somewhere else if something happens," said Blatter.

"Something can happen. It is a natural catastrophe or whatever, a big change in society - everybody against football. But then for the time being the plan B is South Africa and the plan C we definitely must have a possibility to go somewhere else, but it must be a natural catastrophe."

Last year, Blatter expressed misgivings about the lack of construction and renovation work on the 10 South African stadiums that are scheduled to host games in the World Cup.

And in December South African President Thabo Mbeki rejected claims that the tournament could be held elsewhere, insisting the 2010 World Cup would be an "exceptional event".

The Football Association said they had not been involved with any plans for the tournament to move to England.

"There have been no discussions with Fifa at this stage," a spokesman said.

"We do believe we have some of the finest stadia and football infrastructure in the world but it's hypothetical as we understand South Africa are on course to stage the 2012 World Cup."

Never been to South Africa but heard they can host the WC if they work hard and build the stuff. If they arent able to do it I think they should give it to Mexico, do it in Europe again wouldnt be fair

The 2014 World Cup look slikey to be in south america mate so theres no chance plus with the time difference Fifa would loose loads of money.

Mexico is not a south american country

No but its over on the american continent so theres no chance matey

why not? i cant understand that "time difference" argument, it was held in USA in 94 and in Japan/S.Korea in 02, both with huge time diferences and there wasnt any problem

Mate, its because FIFA have already signed lucrative contracts with the television and media to broadcast the games etc and the Kick Off times have all been agreed in black and white the the time difference will be that south africa, where the contract has been signed will be watching it in the middle of the night so not as many people watch the games so the broadcaster dont get good viewing figures in South Africa

Ok, if you say so
I still think there isnt any problem in changing the time, ppl will watch doesnt matter

Well I spose it matters to the broadcasters m8

Acording to these conditions i still cant believe that South Africa was a considerable candidate for WC 2006.

Does anyone going to go to SAR in the case if they host WC?

Isn't there a rule that if a country isn't able to host the WC then the country which hosted it the last time will host it ? So this time Germany ?

I've heard it somewhere.

Btw i don't think either Mexico or Usa should host it. Mexico already hosted it twice and Usa just few editions ago.

I have many relatives in South Africa and they tell me in it accepted fact over there that they won't host the world cup.The country secretly told to be on stand by a year ago was Australia.

Really?

That's interesting.

Australia?
football even inst the most popular sport over there. its fate, in either SA or Australia, this WC 2010 will suck

I disagree. The Australians know how to put on a big show, you only had to witness their Millenium celebrations to know what a spectacle they can provide.

If they do get the chance to host it, I think the tournament is in very very capable hands. Just because they aren't into football as much as us, the sport is growing at a fast rate over there and hosting the biggest single sporting tournament on earth will only accelerate that growth.

I'm sure it would be great in Australia. Imagine when the Socceroos would jump on the field, they would get a lot of support by their fans. Australia has been able to put the country together and we were able to witness it at the last World Cup.

Australia for sure, i wouldnt mind there being a world cup held in aus! they got all the facilities for it.. they hav held rugby world cups(2003 most recent), international football matches(australia vs argentina most recent 2007), and the olympics in 2000!

but FIFA have rules saying 2 stadiums can't be used in the one city or state or something so either we invade PNG and NZ for more land or we wait for a rule change...

well invading New Zealand wudnt be a bad idea really .. it would get football more popular over there .. all you have to do is use the stadiums like the Rugby league tri nations wen australia and nz host a comp together