Australia hot favourites for World Cup if South Africa drops out

Australia are hot favourites to host the 2010 World Cup in the event of South Africa not being ready in time, on offer at 1.20 (1/5) with Skybet.

South Africa’s plan to construct five new stadiums (and the FNB Stadium upgrade) for the World Cup in 2010 are expected to cost R9.1 billion (US$1.3 billion) a massive increase on the R2.0 billion that was projected, the Sunday Times reports.

As a result of this football authorities have become sceptical; Franz Beckenbauer, chairman of the World Cup organising committee (2006) criticised the organising committee stating that they were, “working against each other” and therefore slowing down the process. He has since apologised for his critical comments.