Post by alicia on May 1, 2007 12:37:49 GMT 10
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said Australia or England could still host the 2010 World Cup.
South Africa are set to host the tournament in three years' time.
It would be the first time the event has been staged on the African continent, but there were reports of delays in stadium construction work which threatened hopes of the tournament being staged there.
The sport's world governing body remain confident that all necessary facilities will be ready in time but Blatter clearly feels FIFA need to keep options open in case there are any unforeseen problems, and listed Australia as one country which could step in.
Asked if England or Australia were fall-back options should the South African organisation falter, Blatter told the BBC's Inside Sport programme: "Yes, but there are other countries that are ready to organise tomorrow morning or in two days, or two months, a World Cup. The United States of America, and Mexico, they can do it, Japan, they can do it. They have enough stadia.
"You say England can do it, and I am sure. Spain, they can do it. There is a lot of countries, but they don't need to be ready."
The English FA has said they are ready to step in if needed, but their willingness to make themselves available in an emergency is understandable considering Blatter does not favour a European bid for the 2018 tournament.
FIFA will make a decision on which continent stages the event later this year but Blatter favours a World Cup in Asia, which could include Australia now they are part of the Asian Confederation.
"Personally, I think that we should maintain a rotation," Blatter said.
"At least with four continents. To take North and South America as one continent, Europe, Africa and Asia. This would mean that the next World Cup after 2014 would go to Asia."
South Africa are set to host the tournament in three years' time.
It would be the first time the event has been staged on the African continent, but there were reports of delays in stadium construction work which threatened hopes of the tournament being staged there.
The sport's world governing body remain confident that all necessary facilities will be ready in time but Blatter clearly feels FIFA need to keep options open in case there are any unforeseen problems, and listed Australia as one country which could step in.
Asked if England or Australia were fall-back options should the South African organisation falter, Blatter told the BBC's Inside Sport programme: "Yes, but there are other countries that are ready to organise tomorrow morning or in two days, or two months, a World Cup. The United States of America, and Mexico, they can do it, Japan, they can do it. They have enough stadia.
"You say England can do it, and I am sure. Spain, they can do it. There is a lot of countries, but they don't need to be ready."
The English FA has said they are ready to step in if needed, but their willingness to make themselves available in an emergency is understandable considering Blatter does not favour a European bid for the 2018 tournament.
FIFA will make a decision on which continent stages the event later this year but Blatter favours a World Cup in Asia, which could include Australia now they are part of the Asian Confederation.
"Personally, I think that we should maintain a rotation," Blatter said.
"At least with four continents. To take North and South America as one continent, Europe, Africa and Asia. This would mean that the next World Cup after 2014 would go to Asia."
