Football's world governing body has established a £400 million contingency fund amid fears that the stadiums for South Africa 2010 will not be ready in time.
Fifa was forced to set up the reserve capital fund after insurers for the next World Cup expressed serious reservations about the adequacy of the necessary infrastructure.
Assessors at the insurance giant Munich Re, which insured the 2006 tournament in Germany, warned that key venues in South Africa may not be completed within the two-year deadline.
A spokesperson for the German insurer told the Guardian that "the situation is quite difficult and fluid", revealing that security could not confirmed yet.
"The problem is they need ten stadiums and some these are rugby grounds that are run-down and in a very bad condition," he explained.
Fears have also been expressed about the political climate in the host country, as well as transport infrastructure and security.
Next year's Confederations Cup is not expected to take place in South Africa, as originally planned.
In order to stave off similar uncertainty in future, Fifa president Sepp Blatter has suggested that future World Cup bidders must be able to provide evidence of insurer support.
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9 September 2010
9 September 2010
8 September 2010
8 September 2010
8 September 2010
