FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, has dismissed talk of ditching South Africa as 2010 World Cup hosts saying there was "no Plan B”, Reuters reports.
Blatter's revelation earlier this year that FIFA had contingency plans should the country be deemed ill-prepared had triggered a flurry of speculation about possible alternatives.
With less than 18 months left before the tournament kickoff, the FIFA boss insisted South Africa would be ready to become the continent's first World Cup hosts.
"There is no Plan B, C or D -- for those who still have doubts, I tell you the 2010 World Cup will be organised in South Africa," Blatter told reporters in Tokyo. "I will be proud because it is a little bit like my baby. I've had a dream for 34 years to bring the World Cup to Africa. It's a little bit like my baby."
The readiness of South Africa's stadiums and infrastructure have come under scrutiny but organisers promised they would be up to standard and on time.
FIFA and South African organisers also sought to calm security fears after the country, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world and was last month described as a "killing field" by its own Safety and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
South Africa's organising chief, Danny Jordaan, said: "There is extra investment and there will be 41,000 additional policemen," he said. "We will have helicopters and surveillance cameras."
The South African government has already pledged to spend more than $115 million to increase security for the tournament.
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