So much more depends on the crowd management. South Africa is not alone in not having a wealth of expertise. Mehrdad Masoudi, senior researcher with the TV programme Futbol Mundial, says South Africa remains favourite to host 2010, with a decision due in 2004, but its rivals will not let FIFA's president and its 24-member executive committee forget what has happened. Policing is the main issue. The police are often fans themselves.
Safety is the primary concern.
FIFA would like to find out how they would deal with thousands of fans arriving from all over the world. South Africa now has three years to convince FIFA that South African venues are safe. Pages will open in a new browser window External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.