LATEST NEWS - 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA™

USA gives vote of confidence

"I think we will have a wonderful event there. We are extraordinarily excited about going to South Africa next summer for the FIFA Confederations Cup and excited about trying to go back there in 2010 for the FIFA World Cup. We just need to qualify. It will be a lot different to previous 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ in so many ways. It will be an exciting, spectacular event and we're really looking forward to it," said United States Soccer President Sunil Gulati.

And with coach Bob Bradley's team also having qualified for next year's FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, after winning CONCACAF's Gold Cup, the United States is an important constituency for South Africa's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Organising Committee.

During his short visit Dr Jordaan addressed key US media and also the executive committee of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

As he showed visuals of stunning stadiums rapidly taking shape and addressed issues such as security, transport and accommodation, it was a case of mission accomplished for Dr Jordaan as he allayed any lingering doubts in the United States about South Africa's 2010 host status.

"In the United States we have often heard the question asked whether South Africa will be ready to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. And after very in-depth analysis and presentations from Danny Jordaan to the FIFA Executive and here in the United States, I feel comfortable I can now answer that question wherever I go with a resounding yes. It's going to happen in South Africa and it's going to happen well, People will see a magnificent 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ in facilities that will parallel that of any in the world and with crowds and an atmosphere that will be equivalent to everywhere in the world," said Chuck Blazer, the CONCACAF Secretary-General and also current FIFA Executive Member, who is based in New York.

Tens of thousands of United States fans travelled to Germany for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ and Gulati said there was also great excitement from United States fans wanting to travel to South Africa in 2010.

"The demand and ticket inquiries we've had for South Africa rival that for any other FIFA World Cup™. In Germany we were oversubscribed for all three of our games and the interest of our fans to go to South Africa certainly rivals the demand for Germany 2006," said Gulati.

Gulati said South Africa would have the same challenges faced by any other FIFA World Cup™ host country and said that when the United States hosted the event in 1994 "we were not ready until 10 minutes before kickoff".

Jordaan said the safety of fans in 2010 was paramount, pointing out that tourists from the United States were - after Germany - the second highest visitors to South Africa last year, with 276 941 visitors having visited the country in 2007.

"It is a major event and security is an important issue and we will do our very best to ensure fans are safe. We've taken extra care and the Government has invested R1,3-billion on FIFA World Cup™ security and trained an additional 41 000 police officers," said Jordaan.

He said hard work was going into addressing all the tournament's operational issues, but that it is the atmosphere generated by Africans that will set the tournament apart from any other.


"There is just a different spirit around football on the African continent. Football is a sport that gives life and hope to so many on the African continent. When the fans of the world get together with the African fans, they will sing and dance and enjoy themselves. It will be a real celebration," said Jordaan.

The United States qualified for its first FIFA World Cup™ back in 1930 and have participated in the last five versions of the global football showpiece.