Johannesburg  - World football governing body FIFA on Monday said 27 artificial football turfs would be built around South Africa, including some of its poorest areas, as part of the tournament's legacy programme.

The turfs would be completed in time for the World Cup, FIFA officials said in Johannesburg. South Africa's lottery body would support the project with 81 millions rands (8.9 million dollars).

"We also want to let people who might never see a match take part in the World Cup," a spokesman for the local World Cup organizing committee said.

Local authorities would take responsibility for the fields once they are ready, according to FIFA.

The World Cup opening match is scheduled for June 11, 2010 in Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium and the final in the same venue a month later. (dpa)