2018 England

Delays have dogged South Africa’s preparation for the 2010 World Cup Finals and there are concerns that the stadia will not be ready in time. In case South Africa cannot host the World Cup in 2010, FIFA have contigency plans in place according to President Sepp Blatter.

Speaking to BBC One’s new Inside Sport programme Blatter said:

“Other countries are ready to organise the World Cup… Definitely we have a possibility to go somewhere else if something happens… 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.”

FIFA’s President gave a list of countries that could take over if necessary; the United States, Mexico, Japan, Spain and England, although he implied they would not be needed.

Speaking to BBC Sport, a spokesperson for the English FA said:

“there have been no discussions with Fifa at this stage… 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.”