As teams from around the world battle it out for one of the 32 spaces in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, Dr Danny Jordaan had some words of encouragement for El Salvador on his visit this last week.

"If you can beat Mexico why can you not get into the World Cup?" asked Jordaan referring to their recent victory against the giants of Central American football.

Although the El Salvador team still have an uphill battle to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the words of Jordaan, who was welcomed as a hero of football in the country, will certainly provide them with some motivation. Jordaan was awarded official ambassador status of the Futbol Forever Foundation and given the keys to the city of Soyapango by the mayor during his visit.

Oh his whirlwind visit which also saw the World Cup boss visit Mexico, Jordaan was happy to see that El Salvador are serious about youth development through football which is an important legacy focus for South Africa's hosting of the World Cup.

Visiting the Futbol Forever initiative in the Soyapango district of El Salvador, Jordaan praised the work done by the centre which aims to improve the lives of youngsters through football, ensuring that they stay off the streets and go into the classroom and onto the playing field.

For the president of the Futbol Forever Foundation, Alex Gutman the children were inspired by Jordaan's visit.

"They saw in Dr Jordaan a man that had a vision to bring the World Cup to his country and to the African continent. They knew of his struggles and of his single handed fight that took many many years of hard work. But as Dr Jordaan told them, he had a dream to pursue and although there were setbacks he always kept on fighting and working hard. The children understood the message of hope, of honest hard work and took Dr Jordaan's speech to heart."

This feeling was reiterated by the President of El Salvador, Mauricio Funes in a later meeting with Jordaan.

"It helps to form values and also create skills amongst the youth," said President Funes, who stressed the importance of the Futbol Forever initiative saying that sport needs to always be an important component of youth development.

For Jordaan the trip also provided a platform to bring the World Cup message to Latin America which has seen many of its countries - from Bolivia to Mexico - host the World Cup as well as win on many occasions.

"We have absolutely no doubt that we are ready for the World Cup. No other host has had all their infrastructure ready six months before the tournament, and we will be ready. By the time people come to South Africa for the final draw in December all the stadiums will be ready."