IslandMix

ONDON (AP) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter has spoken to three countries about hosting the 2010 World Cup if a natural catastrophe forces it away from South Africa.

It forms the Plan B drawn up by FIFA with less than two years until football's showpiece tournament heads to Africa for the first time.

Concerns are mounting about South Africa fulfilling its hosting obligations after Tuesday's announcement that the Port Elizabeth stadium is unlikely to be completed in time for next June's Confederations Cup tuneup event.

The World Cup preparations have been plagued by stadium construction delays, security fears, transport problems and the possibility of power outages.

"I have spoken to three possible, not only possible, but three associations and countries that would be able to stage the World Cup in one year's time," Blatter said in an interview broadcast on Thursday by Sky News. "They need one year (to prepare)."

Blatter would not name the countries when asked if 1966 host England was one of his options.

I've been hearing a lot of rumblings in the press about the World Cup being moved. I wouldn't mind seeing it moved to the United States if it does happen, that way I could attend a match. I heard England is potential replacement as well.

I haven't been back to S.Africa, but from my time in Johannesburg I not attend a WC match in that city with the crime situation being what it was. That place is NOT tourist friendly from what I remembered, and was dangerous even moreso when the sun went down.

Of course I'd love to see the WC take place in the motherland, but I'm not sure they're ready for it. I'd like to believe the S.A. WC committee could prove me wrong.

I would be disappointed if it doesnt happen in SA............but disgusted if it is here in the US since this is not football country..............Deutchland im coming back home soon hopefully.

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Ahhm NOT Drunk So Haul Yuh Khunt

i'd love for it to be in the US, I can actually afford to go to the games....

But WC94 in the US was a success! The good thing about the US/England is they have ready made stadiums to host matches. In S.A, I've read a lot of the stadiums aren't even finished yet and are behind schedule.

If you're going to S.A, watch your back.


Yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing the US get the games at some point again. I recall '94, you didn't have to worry about different time zones to watch matches.

Also from my city it was a 3 hr. drive to the Silverdome for matches.

i eh kno nah..........we had so much freedom in Germany and there was a genuine love for the sport there...........its not even a past time here

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Ahhm NOT Drunk So Haul Yuh Khunt

i had d time ah meh life in germany in 2006!! if tnt make it again i doh care the cost i going and show the world how we trini's get on one more time!

Though I wouldn't mind the WC making a return to the US I would love to go to England to check it out. The scene there will be CRAZY with all the football "hooligans" LOL

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BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA 44th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

it's been a long time comin'.... but I know....a CHANGE is gonna come

Contingency plan...I think FIFA knows quite well that having it in South Africa is key for a lot of reasons.

What does it not being a past time here have anything to do with it? I don't have a crystal ball so I do not know what the economy is looking like in 2 years but the US would be perfect especially if the economy is going the way it is now. US cities would love to experience the vast amounts of people from Europle who will flock her since they Euro is going to go farther. Every major city here has a nationalities to support the event as well with the # of people coming over.

Imagine a TnT vs Italy match played at Giants Stadium? Mexico vs China in LA or San Fran? Poland vs Mexico in Chicago?

I think US is a perfect place for the games as a plan B when compared to other places in the world.

Steups...every world cup it is the same story....FIFA looking for a contingency plan if 'x' not ready.

FIFA knows long before they even assign the world cup that nothing short of an act of God going to cause it to move. Doh know why they even bother.