"After having meetings with the organising committee and local organising committee, we are very confident that we are still going strong towards the realisation of a wonderful event, " Blatter told reporters in Durban.

BBC: Blatter downplays crime fears

"Two or three years ago, I could see the merit of having a strong presidential system because we still were going through the recovery phase, " he says.

NPR: Too Much Power in Karzai's Hands, Critics Say