Jordaan is pleased with progress made so far

Fifa's director of competitions Jim Brown expressed optimism at the end of a five-day visit to South Africa and neighbouring countries.

He said: "We were quite frankly overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and the willingness that is required to deliver a successful World Cup.

"Our report back to our president (Sepp Blatter) will be positive as well."

Brown said the delegation still had some questions though, including on stadiums to be built.

The South Africans have proposed 13 venues but have had to narrow that to 10.

Most will be refurbished rather than built in a bid to avoid costly stadiums that lay idle after the tournament.

South Africa will be the first African country to host football's showcase event.

The government hopes the boom in the construction and tourism industry will uplift a country still trying to overcome the legacy of apartheid and racial inequality.

South Africa's hotel capacity is considered adequate in most proposed venues, but there is a major question over whether the country will be able to upgrade transport links enough to cope with the surge of visitors.

The Local Organising Committee's chief executive officer Danny Jordaan said the immediate priority was to select the stadiums.

"We are very happy with where we are now. We are comfortable that we are well ahead of some of the matters that we had to deliver on," Jordaan said.