There are still worries about the progress of stadium construction, finance, crime levels and accommodation but organisers are hoping that a successful draw ceremony will put the spotlight back on the football.
"We wanted to make a statement that this is an African World Cup that's going to be world class," Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the local organising committee (LOC), said.
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"We will not fail on the delivery of stadiums on time."
Danny Jordaan,
LOC chief executive |
"We hope that if there are any Doubting Thomases, then after Sunday they will just be Thomases," he added.
Jordaan and officials of football's world governing body Fifa are insistent preparations for the tournament, the first in Africa, are ahead of schedule but a spate of strikes at some of the 10 stadia have rekindled concerns.
Following stoppages by workers in Cape Town, Durban and Nelspruit in the last few months, Jordaan reiterated: "We will not fail on the delivery of stadiums on time."
No need for panic
He also stressed that the unions were as committed as anyone to ensure the success of the tournament.
"We may lose a week as a result of the strike, we may lose a week as a result of the rain or because of wind," Jordaan said.
"We do not doubt the commitment of the workers to make up the lost time."
Jerome Valcke, Fifa general secretary, admitted there were concerns but he said there was no reason to panic for the moment.
"For sure we are looking at what's happening. For sure we are calling Danny to make sure that he is pushing to ensure the delivery of the stadiums on time," Valcke told a pre-draw press briefing in Durban.
"For the time being there are no red lights. There are some concerns... but we are still on track and we are sure that our concern is shared completely by the LOC and the South African government."
Cost blow-out
Earlier this week, the South African government admitted that the cost of staging the tournament could be up to $500 million more than previous projections, a rise blamed mainly on rising steel prices.
Jabu Moleketi, deputy finance minister, said the government would only work out how to finance the shortfall after coming up with a more detailed cost calculation next month.
On the crime front, South Africa, where an average of 50 people are murdered every day, is battling to shake off a reputation as one of the world's most dangerous places but Valcke suggested the issue was more of a concern for locals than visitor.
"I have the feeling that the issue of safety is more important here than maybe in the rest of the world," he said.