BY DYLAN BUTLER
Dr. Danny Jordaan, the CEO of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, held a press briefing at the South African Consulate General in Manhattan Friday afternoon to give an update on South Africa's preparation for next year's competition.
Here are a few tidbits from Jordaan's presentation.
* The United States leads all countries (outside of the host nation) in ticket sales, thus far, with 93,300.
* There have been 1.8 million ticket requests from 205 countries.
* Some 415,000 jobs will be created in South Africa, including 20,000 on stadium construction.
* 65 percent of the tickets (400,000 in total) for next month's Confederations Cup has been sold.
* Soccer City Stadium, the 98,000-seat jewel of the World Cup in Johannesburg which will be the host of the opening and closing ceremonies, is slated to be completed by August. The same is true for Peter Mokaba in Polokwane.
* Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth is complete and will host its first event on June 16.
* Sunil Gulati was also in the house and said not only does the U.S. lead in ticket sales, but also in broadcast rights.
What do you think of the updates? Are you planning on going to the World Cup? Have you already purchased tickets? Is South Africa really ready to host the World Cup? Share your thoughts below.