The idea of South Africa hosting a FIFA World Cup was first mooted at the Opening Ceremony of the 1994 World Cup in Chicago when a group of South African Football Association (Safa) officials considered the possibility.

In the 15 years since then, the campaign to host the first quadrennial showpiece of international soccer has experienced some desperate lows, including losing the rights to host the 2006 edition as well as some extraordinary highs.

With just nine months remaining before SA takes its place as the centre of the universe, we have been afforded an opportunity to evaluate the challenges which still lie ahead.

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke who is in Johannesburg this week, has provided a critical but upbeat assessment of our situation. In a nutshell: The 2010 FIFA Draw in Cape Town is firmly on track and Combined Artists Productions was this week confirmed as the preferred company to stage the event.

Progress on the construction of the six new stadia is also on track. With all stadiums now between 80 and 92 percent complete, all that remains before the stadiums are handed over to FIFA are the final touches.

The volunteering process is nearing finalisation ? 70 000 applicants from 170 countries have applied for positions to help deliver the event.

Despite some major hiccups, the Bus Rapid Transit system is up and running in Johannesburg and Soweto, the epicentre of the month-long event.

On the field, several countries ? including Brazil and Ghana ? have booked their spot alongside the host nation.

And public confidence about the country?s ability to successfully host the event is at a record high (87%), a survey released this week found.

So what are the challenges that still remain? Firstly, SAFA?s presidential elections later this month has everyone except the main contenders (Danny Jordaan and Irvin Khoza) nervous, it seems.

Despite an impressive showing at the Confederations Cup, Bafana Bafana have now recorded six losses in a row. Of course, the success of an event of this magnitude depends greatly on public morale which, in turn, is affected by the on-field performace of the host nation.

It?s going to take an extraordinary turn-around for the national team to hold its own on centre stage and it will require the support of every South African to help them do it.

  • Email Craig at sports@metropolis.co.za with all your comments.

  • 'Inside 2010' will appear weekly on iafrica.com, so log on next week for more inside info ahead of SA's biggest tournament to date.

  • Urquhart is a former FIFA World Cup Media Officer and the current editor of Project2010.