FIFA president Sepp Blatter has moved to alleviate concerns about the preparations for the 2010 World Cup finals.
“South Africa is progressing well. We are working hand in hand with the South African Football Association and the now-founded organising committee,” he told Reuters.
“I’m sure that the South African World Cup in 2010 will be a milestone not only for this country, for Africa but the world.”
South Africa will become the first African nation to host the finals.
But there have been concerns over whether organisers can complete an improvement in the country’s infrastructure in time for 2010.
Blatter said FIFA believed that the organising committee would solve any problems that may arise.
“The subject of transport is obviously linked with the choice of the venues, where the World Cup will be played and the number of stadia that will be used,” he said.
“This is a crucial point. But before saying it will be a problem, let us identify the situation and if there is a problem, that problem will be resolved I’m sure.”
Blatter also said that he was prepared to stand for another term as FIFA president after 2007.
“There are two conditions to that: if I still have good health then I am available and the second one depends on the national associations.”
“If they say ‘yes, president you have done a good job but it is not yet finished, stay again’ then I will do it,” he said.
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