The FIFA Soccer World Cup Local Organizing Committee (LOC) is adopting a wait and see approach to the impact of the global financial crisis on the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

LOC chief executive Danny Jordaan said in Sandton there were indications that the financial situation should improve by the second half of 2010, the South African Press Association reported on Friday.

"Even if you accept people will have fewer dollars in their pockets, these dollars will provide more rands.

"That will have an impact as people may still travel as a destination becomes a cheaper destination, but we'll just have to wait and see how things pan out."

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said in any case hundreds and thousands of people were not expected because few tickets were actually available.

He said since the World Cup was played every four years, "it is one of those events we are waiting for, so if your team qualifies, you just come".

Valcke said he was "not afraid" as sport remained a "safe business".

"At FIFA we are very old women, so we are very capable with our money," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2008)