WORLD CUP 2010: England's unfinished South Africa HQ will be ready in time, insist FIFA executives after visit

By Sportsmail Reporter

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke is confident the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus will be ready on time, although it has still not been confirmed England will stay there during the World Cup.



The site at Phokeng, near Rustenburg in the north-west of South Africa, is still under construction and England boss Fabio Capello has previously raised concerns about the condition of the training pitches.



Capello and Valcke both visited the site on their arrival in the country for the coaches summit in Sun City but the final list of training bases for the 32 countries is still to be announced, despite FIFA hoping to publish it today.



Concern: Fabio Capello went on an inspection of the facilities yesterday



'I was invited by the King of Bafokeng to see this centre because they are looking for FIFA support in the future, after the World Cup, about potential use of international teams who want to train out of their continent,' said Valcke.



'The rooms are there - there is a welcome desk where you can pay, a breakfast area where you can eat. There was a television and internet in the room.



'Beside it there is the 3,000 square metres for the King's Suite; this is under construction but this will not be used during the World Cup.



Building site: Recent pictures show workers preparing a pitch (above) at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus in South Africa and construction work (below)







'At the time of the World Cup, the FA (Football Association) need the 68 rooms, the medical centre and pitches. There are two which are being worked on by an Irish company who are experts in grass. We have been told the medical centre will be built on time.'

It is understood Algeria, one of England's Group C opponents, have made a late switch in their training camp.



Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the 2010 Organising Committee, insists the feedback from officials during the meetings in Sun City has been positive.



'We've met with the teams and coaches and overall they are very happy,' he said.



Jordaan, following his visit to the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus, added: 'I went with Jerome Valcke and we had dinner and lunch there. It is fully operational and I have asked to go back there so we can see the reality.



'The hotel is complete. The development adjacent is intended for a local team called Platinum Stars.'







