Ready For Kickoff

"We have hosted 146 high-profile events—including rugby and cricket world cups—and more recently the IPL cricket tournament, we are about to host the Confederations Cup and the British and Irish Lions rugby team is touring our country. We have not had a single incident in those 146 events," he told reporters this week.

Not everybody is as positive. The big international security company G4S recently said it would not work the World Cup because of worries over the event's organization and security. Last year, leading columnist Justice Malala joined a chorus of World Cup critics, writing that "our leaders are incapable of making a success of it." With plans on track, criticism has abated. But Craig Urquhart, formerly with FIFA and now editor of www.project2010.co.za, which has been monitoring preparations, points to lingering fears of labor disputes at stadiums and the escalating costs of stadiums—Green Point in Cape Town will cost 4.4 billion rand (about $550 million), four times more than originally estimated. "A year ago an outbreak of xenophobia scared the hell out of everyone," he recalled. As it should, with foreigners due to flood the land. "But that appears to be well under control now."

Most South Africans seem to be optimistic. According to the second of six opinion surveys to be carried out for world soccer officials, 96 percent of the 1,000 people interviewed believe the competition will boost tourism, 94 percent are proud to be hosting it, 92 percent believe the World Cup will lead to improved infrastructure and 90 percent feel it will improve the country's image abroad.

Over the past year, South Africa's attention has been turned inward, to a high-drama political leadership struggle that led to the election of President Jacob Zuma in April. But tournament planners insist they have kept their eye on the ball.

"We are nine months ahead of where Japan and Korea were in 2002, and six months ahead compared to Germany in 2006," organizing committee spokesman Rich Mkondo said this week. Those assurances will be put to the test as this weekend's contest begins with a match between South Africa and Iraq, two of the eight qualifying teams that also include Brazil, Egypt, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and United States. So far more than 70 percent of tickets for the Confederations Cup games have been sold, and it is hoped the figure will rise to 80 percent, a respectable target for such an event.

Tournament officials, of course, anticipate a smooth dress rehearsal and a crisis-free runup to the World Cup. After all, as Jordaan stresses repeatedly, there is no other option: "I suggest we work together to accept the reality that the World Cup is here. It is happening."

© 2009