FIFA's Secretary General Jerome Valcke has expressed serious doubts as to whether South Africa will complete its preparations for the World Cup in 2010. With 18 months to go, he warns the organisers there 'isn't a day to lose'. From Johannesburg Alex Capstick reports:

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But it now seems inevitable that some projects will not meet their deadlines. Most of the concerns surround South Africa's commitment to overhaul its transport system and improve security. Jerome Valcke, who is the second in command to the president Sepp Blatter at FIFA, said there's simply no time for further delays.

The local organisers remain convinced that they will deliver on their promises and, despite the warning from FIFA, the possibility of moving the tournament to another country is not an option.

Alex Capstick, BBC News, Johannesburg

Listen to the words

been fully behind
completely supported

inevitable
if something (usually unpleasant) is inevitable, it is impossible to avoid it or prevent it from happening

meet their deadlines
be completed on time

surround
here, are about

commitment
a promise and/or a firm decision to do something

overhaul
here, significantly improve

the second in command
the second most powerful

deliver on
here, fulfil

tournament
a competition where a number of games are played, and the winners of each of those games then play against each other

an option
a possibility, a possible choice

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