Relax, the World Cup will be in South Africa in 2010

April 30th, 2007 | by: WC Bob |

When Sepp Blatter sneezes the world catches the flu. FIFA’s head honcho was back at it again today spreading good cheer by announcing that there are backup plans in place in the event that South Africa can’t host the 2010 World Cup.

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

“It was the same case in Germany. Something can happen. 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.”

Blatter went ahead and mentioned that the United States, England, Mexico, Japan and Spain would all be ready, willing and able to step in if duty calls.

The mere mention of other countries hosting the tournament has led to headlines proclaiming that FIFA has lost confidence in South Africa. But if you read Blatter’s statements closely he continually emphasizes that South Africa will host the competition.

For once, I actually believe him. Before we all jump to conclusions let’s take a look at how things stand right now. South Africa is investing tons to make it happen and FIFA has a lot invested in bringing football’s biggest tournament to Africa. So do the tournament’s sponsors. After a slow start, things appear to be on track in terms of stadium construction and organization. At this time there is nothing to indicate that everything won’t be ready and in place in time. Until there is evidence otherwise, I think talk of moving the tournament is just that. Talk.

Undoubtedly we will read more articles in the coming days that question South Africa’s ability to hold the event. There seem to be no shortage of people who want South Africa to fail. Some of them will bring up legitimate points, but in the end I fully expect that come 2010 the world will be focused on 64 games being played in South Africa.

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http://www.Polishsoccer.com marek

I really expect them to host it and expect it to be a success.
enrico

Just when everything seems to be settling down towards 2010 old Sepp makes another crazy comment and get journalists everywhere jumping on a frenzied bandwagon. No doubt FIFA owes 2010 to South Africa. Problems were created when FIFA preferred new stadiums in cities like Cape Town and Durban where adequate ones already existed.
Kahuru

Thanks Marek, thanks Enrico, and many thanks to you too Bob. What I really don’t understand (and for the record I have been a long time Sepp Blatter supporter)is Sepp Blatter was always saying plan A will be in South Africa, plan B in South Africa, plan C in South Africa and so on; he is even said progress has been remarkable and now from his same mouth just as the world is beginning to warm up to the idea of a world cup in SA he stirs up the pot. What’s with this man?
enrico

I know Kahuru. I also mostly like Sepp Blatter since he is quite a visionary. However, FIFA also gave Germany a rough ride leading up to last year and they in turn have warned the South Africans that although the World Cup is hosted in their country, dictatorial FIFA makes it clear who runs the show and all it’s details. Hence the stadium debacle and last minute change in plans in some South African cities. Cape Town for example did not want or need a new stadium and have Newlands and Athlone Stadiums nearly ready with minimal upgrading, but FIFA liked the panoramic view of tiny Green Point Stadium instead as a semi-final venue. However, that not-up-to-par stadium had to be torn down to make way for a new one which is now being built… waistful and ridiculous in a country struggling to bridge the massive economic gap between rich and poor. If South Africa has falls behind in preparations BLAME IT ON FIFA!!
http://ZA Gerhard

I concur 100% with that last statement.

I have no doubt that if the new stadia are completed in time SA will host a very successful world cup, rampant crime and deficient infrastructure issues aside.

Sepp is a visionary. Indeed. Unfortunately SA needs realists and pragmatists and as a result of Sepp’s vision (not sure which plan: A, B or C it seems to change over time! jeopardising SA’s reputation and creditibility at no risk to FIFA) Green Point stadium is no more, Cape Towns 2010 World cup prospects hang by a thread as a new stadium has to be built from scratch in just over 3 years (no mean feat given cement and other critical resource issues) and this in direct contravention and in violation of a series of environmental impact assessments and community surveys which have been blatantly ignored in the name of expedience and for the good of FIFA and said vision.

Hopefully all will fall into place, for the good of the common man, our town and our country.

Sepp’s comments left me perturbed. How can this man who’s vision led us to demolish our stadium now threaten to shift the goalposts yet again (Plan D?) and /or leave us in the lurch? Or is he merely pandering to his Aussie and Pommie croneys? (see Wikipedia on Sepp Blatter for more info)
Max

Blatter has a reputation of making comments just because he wants to please the media and people of whatever country he is making that comment. Personally, I just wanna wish South Africa success as they prepare for the WC. Its just a shame that so many people are “hell bent” on taking it away from them.
Kahuru

One can only wonder what goes through this man’s head, and Gerhard you are absolutely right, that Greenpoint stadium was really not neccesary because Newlands could have been upgraded, but it is too late to unring the bell; what South Africa need to do really is use what Blatter said as motivation to push even harder, assign companies to work 24 hour shifts if need be, and man I was in South Africa recently and was amazed at what I saw – you can’t recognize the FNB stadium from what it was just a few months ago!!! And Enrico, when you come to South Africa in 2010 or any other time you feel like, just know that you have a place to stay and at a very wonderful price – FREEEE!!!!
Kahuru

Max, you too are invited :) You hit the nail right on the head, and what’s really disturbing is that Blatter was a chief South African ally, but then again as you rightly pointed out, the man wavers depending on whom he is dealing with, and that really is not a man who can be trusted to lead so powerful an organisation.
Max

Thanks Kahuru. Might actually take you up on that one if you’re in South Africa;) Anyway, I did some scouting about this issue on the internet, and came across an article on SABCnews saying FIFA just sent an emergency letter to the LOC CEO apologising to South Africans about Blatter’s comments…tsk tsk. Blatter when will you ever learn? Lol. But maybe it was his fault. Media took this matter out of context and made a story from nothing.
Max

Oi, meant to say “wasn’t his fault”
Kahuru

Max, I WILL be in South Africa come 2010, you and whoever you will be bringing along will be well taken care off. I will show you African hospitality and it will be an experience that you will never forget, I will make sure of that! The same goes for you too Enrico – just keep doing what you are doing, supporting South Africa, and you will be rewarded. :)
enrico

Kahuru,

I have decided to stay in Toronto during the group stages and then travel to South Africa in the spare days leading up to the quarter finals. This way I miss nothing. I do not believe any North American City celebrates the Fifa World Cup like Toronto. I want to be around all my South African friends here who can only talk negative about their country. The funny thing is South Africans here seem to talk so much negative about their country to all and anyone who will listen, yet I know that they must be deeply hurt and actually love their country to talk with such passion and bitterness. You see Kahuru, I am aware that these people are disgrunted remnants of apartheid, but I do not hold it against them because they are like average people anywhere who resist change from the comforts they were used to. Many of them decided to leave South Africa because they hated what was happening in their country…democracy!!!! So I want to hang around Toronto at the beginning of the tournament to see how they change from their scornful ways to regaining their pride in being South African again. I KNOW it is going to happen…that powerful and ultra positive energy surrounding 2010 South Africa….!!! AND IT IS GOING TO BE TOO GOOD TO MISS!!!
Claude

Hey Kahuru old buddy, can I stay for free too and watch Germany win their 4th. world cup crown?
Kahuru

If you behave yourself, yeah you are more than welcome, much as I like the German team, and I was rooting for them this past world cup i don’t think they will win it all. The trophy will stay in Africa.
Kahuru

Enrico, it is like that everywhere even in South Africa herself, but I am glad you are seeing through that whole fascade my man keep it up. I will be waiting for you in 2010.
Claude

Kahuru I can’t see the world cup being won by a team from Africa not with the likes of Brazil, Argentina and the European power houses waiting in the wings. However, it would be nice to see some new blood taking home the trophy instead of one of the usual group of 4 or 5 teams unless it is Germany of course (but you can’t blame me for rooting for my homeland). Take care. I really do want to see South Africa pull this off.
Kahuru

You are right Claude, I just said that just to say it because it is hard to imagine any African country winning it all, it would be a miracle and miracles do happen, and make no mistake I am praying for one!!If Germany wins it, hey all power to you guys, but I hope we give you a run for your money. Germany kept their promise to South Africa (about helping us win the right to host the 2010 world cup) and for that they have a special place in my heart.
enrico

Sorry Claude and Kahuru, Despite my Spanish sounding nickname I am of German decent was born in Cape Town but lived most of my life in Canada. However, I share much less allegience to my genetic background than the country of my birth. I also have little reason to back the established countries of Europe and South America. From a North
American viewpoint, the world cup should not be just and expanded version of the European Cup, which it is as long as there is as many as 15-16 teams from that continent taking part. With the event only happening every four years how is Africa, Asia and CONCACAF ever going to improve with just 4 of 5 representatives from 50 plus countries at the big show. By the same token it is difficult not to have a better shot at winning the title when half of the participants are from your continent. South America have the ridiculous representation of 4 or 5 countries from a total of just 9. How could qualifications become mor fair..? Well that is easier than people are willing to go the against establisment. Have South America and CONCACAF interplay for the total spots available in those two regions. Thus have Africa and Europe interplay for the total spots available in their regions. Not only will this spur greater interest in the qualifying rounds, but what are the chances for Europe still getting 15 qualifiers? Enough of the apologies for being under par to the more established soccer continents Kahuru, but when on earth will there be a level playing field for all soccer playing continents to develope on when the powers that be continously pander to the powerful nations to remain unchallenged at world cup time?
Kahuru

You are absolutely right man.
dick

Let’s keep the Germans out of the finals for a while just to keep the game genuine and interesting. I like Ghana or Nigeria in the final four. Maybe Argentina to win it all..I would like to say the dutch or czech rep but we all know that’s not going to happen. Anyone but Brazil, France or Germany (FIFAs favorite little children) in the final four would be nice.
http://www.soccer.com aaron

no, it is going to be in paris again because south africa is kind of a bit too cool
Arthur

Dick, you have no idea what you are talking about. Were you at Germany 2006? Do you know anything about modern German history and how Germany have been lucky to scrape by since 1998 on sheer luck and team spirit? They have unarguably done quite well, but they deserve to be there at the final as much or more than anyone else. On the other hand Argentina are pretty bad losers from time to time.