FIFA Sets 2010 World Cup dates; warns local organizers to get cracking with construction

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa will take place June 11-July 11 of that year, the ruling body FIFA announced on Wednesday amid a warning to local organizers to finally start with stadium construction and renovation.

FIFA said that its executive board also agreed that the preliminary round draw for the World Cup will take place November 23, 2007, in Durban.
The Confederations Cup in South Africa will be played June 14-27, 2009, in the five cities of Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg (Ellis Park), Pretoria and Rustenburg.

FIFA said it was satisfied with a progress report on the World Cup and reiterated its supprt to the local organizing committee, but insisted work on the venues must now start.

‘The Executive Committee stated that it was now expecting work to begin, particularly on constructing and renovating the stadiums,’ FIFA said in a statement.