Football is considered to be the most popular sport in the world. It is said to have the largest fan following than any other sport. Every four years, the global committee for football FIFA organizes the football carnival which is officially called as The FIFA World cup. The next FIFA world cup is going to take place in the year 2010 in South Africa.
This is going to be the 19th FIFA World cup, and the one month football frenzy is going to start on 11th June with a fabulous opening ceremony and the finals will take place on 11th July. This is the first time it is hosted in an African nation. Last time it was held in Germany and was won by Italy, who beat France in the grueling final.
South Africa was granted the hosting rights after voting by the confederations members. In order to qualify for the tournament, nations around the world have to compete in the qualifiers. South Africa is the only qualified nation without these qualifiers as it is the host nation. Other than South Africa even the champion team Italy has to participate in the qualifiers.
Zakumi a yellow leopard with green hair is declared as the official mascot for the FIFA World cup 2010. A list of thirteen venues are going to be used in this world cup, they are Bloemfontein, Johannesburg (two venues), Pretoria (two venues), Rustenburg, Cape Town, Kimberley, Nelspruit, Orkney, Polowakne, Port Elizabeth.
As far as the teams are concerned, Brazil is the hot favorite team to win the tournament because of its form in the FIFA confederations trophies so far. So we can be assured of a nerve wrenching roller coaster ride when the carnival starts on June 11.
Important information about FIFA World Cup 2010
Dates: 11 June - 11 July
Teams: 32
Country: South Africa
Name of Stadiums where world cup matches will be played
- Soccer City
- Moses Mabhida Stadium
- Green Point Stadium
- Ellis Park Stadium
- Loftus Versfeld Stadium
- Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
- Free State Stadium
- Mbombela Stadium
- Peter Mokaba Stadium
- Royal Bafokeng Stadium
