alt ENGLAND could stage the 2010 World Cup - with the final at the new Wembley - if FIFA decide South Africa are not up to the job, it was revealed today.

 

Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA, claimed that England was among a group of countries being lined up to step-in if necessary.

 

The others include United States, Mexico, Japan and Spain.

 

"Definitely we have a possibility to go somewhere else if something happens," said Blatter druring an interview to be broadcast on BBC 1 tonight.

 

"It was the same case in Germany. Something can happen. A natural catastrophe or whatever, a big change in society - everybody against football.

 

"But then for the time being the plan B is South Africa and the plan C we definitely must have a possibility to go somewhere else, but it must be a natural catastrophe."

 

The Football Association, who are considering bidding for the event in 2018, said they had not been involved with any plans for the tournament to move to England.

 

"There have been no discussions with Fifa at this stage," a spokesman told BBC Sport.

 

"We do believe we have some of the finest stadia and football infrastructure in the world but it's hypothetical as we understand South Africa are on course to stage the 2010 World Cup."

 

Inside Sport's interview with Sepp Blatter will be broadcast in Monday's show, which starts at 2305 BST on BBC ONE.