Danny Jordaan, the man credited with bringing the World Cup to South Africa, has paid tribute to the passion of the Socceroos’ fans.

Jordaan, the CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, said that Australian supporters had already purchased 27,000 tickets to next year’s tournament, almost three times more than regional rivals South Korea and Japan.

Australian ticket purchases rank third amongst all nations for matches at next year’s showpiece, with more tickets expected to be shipped down under once the Socceroos’ group stage opponents are decided following the draw early on Saturday morning (AEDT).

“It will strengthen the understanding that football in Australia is as important as any of the other codes,” said Jordaan.

“The scales have been tilted against football in Australia, the international understanding is that it is really a rugby and cricket country.

“The high number of ticket sales and the many Australians buying football tickets to support the Socceroos emphasises the fact that football is quite a major sport in Australia.”

Jordaan has been instrumental in ensuring South Africa’s stadia, transport and hospitality facilities have been brought up to World Cup standard.

With seven months until the first ball is kicked at Johannesburg’s newly-built Soccer City Stadium, work on the 10 arenas that will host World Cup matches next year is all but complete.

“Absolutely (South Africa is ready), you see the stadiums, you see the infrastructure in the city, I think Cape Town, together with Sydney, are two of the most beautiful cities in the world,” said Jordaan.

“We are looking forward, we have 32 teams here, we have the trophy, we have completed stadiums, we are ready to go.

“Seeing is believing, people can go and look around the (Green Point) Stadium here, the lights are on in the evening, I think a stadium that will be in the top 10 of the best stadiums in the world.

“You can look at the images and show that to the Australian people and I’m sure they’ll agree with me.”

© AAP 2012

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