FIFA president Sepp Blatter will travel to South Africa later this month to inspect the country’s 2010 World Cup facilities, soccer’s global governing body announced Thursday. It said he would spend four days in the country from September 14-17 “to get a first-hand impression of the progress of the preparations for next year’s Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup.”
According to the itinerary, Blatter’s tour will include Cape Town’s new Greenpoint stadium and Johannesburg’s Ellis Park and Soccer City stadiums. He will also hold talks with South African President Thabo Mbeki, President of the ruling African National Congress Jacob Zuma, and regional government officials.
Despite fears over rising construction costs, lack of infrastructure and poor security, Blatter stated this summer that only a “natural disaster” could prevent South Africa from hosting the tournament. Although he did admit to having a Plan B in his desk drawer.