FIFA president Joseph Blatter said in Zurich on Saturday that he trusted South Africa's ability to host the 2010 World Cup.

"The World Cup started in 1930 and we have been to all the continents, but never Africa," Blatter said in an interview with the FIFA website.

"Africa has given the world of football so many, many talented and outstanding players, coaches, clubs and national teams and therefore it was justice that one day that they would host the World Cup in Africa. Now it is Africa's time."

(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2009)