October 4 – Following the lead of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the South African Football Association (SAFA) has endorsed the proposal for a biennial World Cup, with the governing body’s strongman Danny Jordaan arguing that the tournament in its current form “has not brought progress in African football over the last 100 years”.
“What benefit did the World Cup bring to Africa and Africa countries?” asked Jordaan at a news conference. “In the period of 100 years of the World Cup, only one African country has hosted the World Cup and that is South Africa. The prospect of another African country hosting another World Cup is not bright. No African team has made it to the semi-final.”
Jordaan and SAFA believe that a World Cup every two years will offer Africa better chances at development and success. They have decided to back FIFA’s plans for a dramatic overhaul of the international match calendar. Inside World Football understands that the world federation specifically asked Jordaan to push the issue.
Jordaan is a close ally of CAF president Patrice Motsepe. In summer, CAF’s executive committee decided to support the proposal, all but confirming that Africa’s 54 votes would favour a biennial World Cup.
The SAFA president also said that South Africa intends to bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. This year’s Club World Cup however is unlikely to be staged in South Africa. The 2010 World Cup hosts considered staging the tournament after Japan dropped out because of the Covid-19 crisis, but Jordaan indicated that FIFA wanted fans at the event and 70% of people vaccinated in the host country, requirements that would be difficult for South Africa to meet. For now, the UK government has South Africa on the red list as well, which would prevent Chelsea fans from traveling for the tournament.
“The prospect of South Africa proceeding with the attempt to bring the Club World Cup is in serious jeopardy,” said Jordaan.
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