TOKYO: FIFA president Sepp Blatter squashed talk of ditching South Africa as 2010 World Cup hosts on Monday, insisting there was "no Plan B."

Blatter's revelation earlier this year that FIFA had contingency plans should the country be deemed ill-prepared had triggered a flurry of speculation about possible alternatives.

With less than 18 months left before the tournament kickoff, the FIFA boss insisted South Africa will be ready to become the continent's first World Cup hosts.