FRANKFURT, July 15: Franz Beckenbauer is sure South Africa will host the 2010 World Cup and knows nothing about FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s contingency plans to move it to another country in case of a natural catastrophe.

Beckenbauer, who is the German representative in FIFA’s executive committee, said he had been surprised by Blatter.

“We in the FIFA executive are doing everything to have the World Cup take place in South Africa, even if we have to shut an eye every now and then. But I am sure the World Cup in S. Africa will take place,” he said.—AP