New South African stadium for Confederations Cup

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) - A new stadium will be used at next year's Confederation Cup in South Africa to test its readiness to host the 2010 World Cup. World Cup organizers said Tuesday that the Nelson Mandela Bay

Multipurpose Stadium in Port Elizabeth will stage matches at the June 14-28 Confederation Cup in 2009.

It will be the only new South African stadium to host games in the Confederation Cup, which will be held throughout the nation. Other stadiums, some of which are being renovated, must be ready by December.

Port Elizabeth mayor Nondumiso Maphazi promised in a statement not to "disappoint" FIFA, South Africans or the world.

Despite construction delays and a series of strikes, FIFA officials are confident South Africa's World Cup stadiums will be completed on time. They consistently deny rumors that the World Cup will be moved.