Mexico is ready and willing to host the 2010 World Cup should South Africa be unable to host the event, according to the general secretary of the nation's governing body Decio De Maria. FIFA president Sepp Blatter recently claimed three countries were in line to step in should South Africa not be ready for the tournament in two years' time.
Fears over South Africa's preparations have arisen since it emerged the new stadium in Port Elizabeth had fallen behind schedule and would not be ready in time to stage Confederations Cup games next summer.
The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) won the rights to host the 2011 Under-17 World Cup and De Maria said with work well underway to improve the nation's stadia they would be equipped to host FIFA's showpiece event if required.
'We have said it more than once. We enjoy being hosts, we have the stadiums and, if it happens, we will be ready to the call,' De Maria told goal.com.
'We have already raised our hand. They gave us the organisation of the Under-17 World Cup and now we have to wait FIFA's final decision.
'We have always mentioned that we are a country with infrastructure, with resources and with great fans.
'For that we made a huge work to host the Under-17 tournament in 2011. Mexico's credentials are there.'
Mexico has hosted two World Cup tournaments previously - in 1970 and 1986.
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