FIFA has back-up plan for 2010

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has told the BBC that football's world governing body has contingency plans in case South Africa cannot host the World Cup in 2010.

He said that the US, England, Mexico, Japan and Spain would be ready to step in, adding: 'Definitely we have a possibility to go somewhere else if something happens.

'It was the same case in Germany. Something can happen. 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 is a possibility to go somewhere else, but it must be a natural catastrophe.'

South Africa is renovating or building 10 stadiums for the World Cup and have continually said that all their preparations will be ready in time.

The English Football Association have signalled their readiness to host the 2010 World Cup should FIFA be forced to strip South Africa of the tournament.

There have been reports of delays in stadium construction work which threatened hopes of the event being staged on the African continent for the first time.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has indicated England remains a contingency option and, while the FA insist there have been no discussions with the sport's world governing body, they are ready to assist.

An FA spokesman said: 'We understand South Africa remain on course to host the 2010 World Cup, and there have been no discussions with FIFA regarding England possibly hosting the tournament.

'However, should there be requirements for any contingency planning, we believe that England has some of the finest stadia in the world and the football infrastructure which could host the 2010 World Cup at short notice, if asked to by FIFA.'