The opening match and the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will take place at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.
Fifa's executive committee said yesterday the decision was made on Tuesday by the bureau of the World Cup organising committee. South African organisers had proposed Johannesburg as the site of the two matches more than a year ago. The stadium's seating capacity is to be expanded from 80000 to 94700.
Fifa also delayed this year's World Cup qualifying draw in Durban by two days to November 25. It said host South Africa will be placed in Group A of the World Cup.
Jerome Valcke is to succeed Urs Linsi as Fifa's general secretary, the No. 2 position in soccer's governing body under president Sepp Blatter. - Sapa-AP