World Cup organizers thanked South Africa's stadium construction workers by giving them free match tickets on Monday, but also warned their work is not quite done.
FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke recognized the contribution of the country's 27,000 builders on a rainy day at Soccer City.
Outside the site of the World Cup opener and final, there still was much to do, as dirt and bricks lay in piles and one of the access roads was flooded.
The few hundred representatives of the workers sang and chanted while sitting in the stadium seats and blew on their vuvuzelas, the plastic trumpets that are the trademark of South African soccer fans.
South Africa has built five new stadiums for the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 11, and Soccer City has been given a $200 million overhaul. The first African host has spent $1.3 billion on its 10 venues.
Each of the 27,000 workers will get two tickets to a World Cup match at the venue they helped build. However, the ``finishing touches'' constantly referred to by organizers are not quite done yet.
``Yes, there are some things to clean up,'' Valcke said. ``It's like everything being ready for dinner but we are still missing the floors and the table. That's what we have to do.''
There were also recorded messages played on Soccer City's two giant screens from FIFA president Sepp Blatter, Spanish forward Fernando Torres and English midfielder Steven Gerrard.
``Guys, I hope you enjoy the games in South Africa,'' a smiling Gerrard said. ``You have done a fantastic job on the stadiums, and I look forward to seeing you there.''
Organizers said they never had any doubt the stadiums would be finished in time, despite fears over South Africa's readiness which are yet to be completely eased.
Valcke said he did have worries earlier this month that South Africa's new stadiums may not be full for the World Cup.
``I was a bit concerned and a bit anxious,'' Valcke said. ``I have to admit today that it has been working well and the commitment we have made that 95 percent of the stadiums will be full, I think we will reach this commitment.''
Valcke said there are at least 10 games which have yet to sell out.
