From correspondents in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 06:01 PM IST

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has strongly denied the rumour that its country would hold FIFA World Cup 2010 in case South Africa is not able to host it.

'It is ridiculous,' said CBF press officer Rodrigo Paiva Thursday. 'There is no chance this could happen.'

Paiva stated that CBF President Ricardo Teixeira, who is in Marseille for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, has also said that there is no truth in the news.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said last month that he had a Plan B for the World Cup should South Africa pull out.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)