475 days to go till the 2010 World Cup

February 20, 2009

Excitement has already started to build as the first set of tickets for the World Cup went on sale today and although the event is still over a year away World Cup fever is starting to take over South Africa.

Some 450,000 cheaper tickets are being reserved for South African residents of which 120,000 will be issued free to stadium construction workers.

Overall prices range from $20 (£14) for a category four ticket reserved for South Africans to $900 for a category one ticket for the final.

The stadium building hasn’t gone to plan of late with 400 builders getting sacked this week for going on strike this coupled with the big doubts that have been hanging over the tournament from the start have started to install further doubts that the tournament will run smoothly but the South African authorities have assured everyone everything will be ready in time.

Danny Jordan, the chief executive of South Africa’s World Cup Organising Committee, says security should not be a concern despite the country’s crime rate.

“When you organise an event, you have maximum information” about the teams’ movements, he told the BBC.

“You know where the fans are going to stay, you know when they are going to the match, you know when and where they’re going to celebrate.

“So, if I have 100% information on your movement, I can give you the guarantee that you will be 100% safe.”

At least 400,000 visitors are expected in South Africa next year.

Fifa has said it hopes every single match will be sold out.

The draw for the 32 teams that qualify for the World Cup will be held in Cape Town in December 2009.

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