Despite reports suggesting this is the first time we've heard of a contingency plan to stage the 2010 World Cup somewhere else, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, has today brought the subject up again and back into the spotlight. Back in May, Blatter confirmed (http://www.worldcup2010southafrica.com/content/view/422/92/) that the United States, England, Mexico, Japan and Spain would all be ready to stage the 2010 World Cup if South Africa couldn't, because of a 'natural disaster'.

Give us a wave Danny! 2010 World Local Organising Committee CEO, Danny Jordaan has said that in Vienna this week that South Africa would be ready and able to host a safe World Cup. "South Africa has a track record of hosting big events - 11 in the past 14 years - without a single incident. These were safe and we will ensure that the World Cup is no different," he said. Jordaan was hosting a South Africa evening in Vienna as a guest of Euro 2008 organisers, which was also attended by other 2010 officials and several former African footballers,...

Exactly two years before the kick off, South Africa Local Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan had bad news for anyone thinking South Africa would bring the World Cup home on budget. "We are presently dealing with cost escalation - a reality that will have an impact on us," Jordaan told a press conference yesterday.

The recent and ongoing violent attacks in South Africa have raised concerns globally and while football should be the furthest from our minds when we hear and watch what is happening, it's raised concerns with FIFA and FIFA have a responsibility. Talking at a news conference in Sydney, where FIFA is holding its annual congress this week Sepp Blatter said "We took note with concern the latest development in South Africa."

FIFA is close to stopping Kenya from playing its first 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Namibia in Windhoek on May 31st. FIFA have the Kenya Football Federation has been taken over by government appointed officials it does not recognise and FIFA do not like government interference in footballing matters.

Danny Jordaan is the CEO of the 2010 Local Organising Committee and for the most part, he spends his time as the face of South Africa's bid. For the rest of his time he's slamming speculation that South Africa will not be ready. We've heard you Danny, now please move on. The fact of the matter is that nobody has written anything about South Africa not fulfilling their part of the agreement with FIFA for quite a few months and every time Danny Jordaan responds to a stupid question, it gets noticed. We know South Africa will be ready, FIFA...

Port Elizabeth (http://www.worldcup2010southafrica.com/content/view/95/83/) are the first host city of the 2010 World Cup to launch their official website and you know what, it's actually quite nice and very informative. The site is packed with lots of information for visitors to Port Elizabeth and if you're going to South Africa it's one place you must visit and visit by road, not air, if you get the opportunity. To visit the website click here (http://www.worldcup2010southafrica.com/component/option,com_weblinks/task,view/catid,78/id,107/).

With the World Cup due to kick off in a little over two years Bafana Bafana look like they could be heading for a troubling few months, as it emerged in Brazil yesterday that the current coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira is set to quit. However, all is not lost as it also looks like SAFA will approach current Manchester City manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson, if his contract is terminated this summer by new club owner Thaksin Shinawatra.

Cape Town have launched a competition to design the World Cup poster that will be used all over the Mother City and you've got a chance of designing it, if you're local that is. Durban had over 80 entries and the competition closed on Monday, but Cape Town has just begun and no doubt the other host cities will also soon be running competitions soon.

FIFA have apparently demanded (http://www.thetimes.co.za/Sport/Article.aspx?id=740894) that British newspaper, The Guardian, retract a claim that FIFA have established a £400 million insurance fund to assist South Africa if they fail to complete in time for the 2010 World Cup. The story, written by 'Digger' columnist Matt Scott was published online on April 2nd and can be read here (http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,2270176,00.html).