FIFA.com - 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ - News

A World Cup to remember

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:09:00 GMT

As the final whistle blows on Africa's first FIFA World Cup, fans reflect on what they will take away from the historic tournament.

An emotional goodbye

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:34:00 GMT

As Nelson Mandela came out onto the Soccer City pitch during the closing ceremony, a nation erupted as the icon marked the end of South Africa’s historical World Cup journey.

Lessons from 2006

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:01:00 GMT

While their campaign may be over, Germany will look back at their time in South Africa knowing that not only has it been a great party, but they have passed on the baton of hosting a great tournament to South Africa.

Closing ceremony makes dream a reality

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:15:00 GMT

The closing ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is set to amaze audiences around the globe, but for one little girl it is a moment she will never forget.

Uniting a nation

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:34:00 GMT

Since the end of apartheid and the beginning of South Africa’s historic democracy in 1994, it has been sport that has been instrumental in uniting a nation.

Beckenbauer sings SA's praises

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:56:00 GMT

Franz Beckenbauer, one of Germany's greatest football players and managers, is impressed by the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and sees this as a new era for the host nation.

Cape Town takes a bow

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:40:00 GMT

After enjoying the party of a lifetime, residents of Cape Town have mixed emotions after hosting their last World Cup match on Tuesday night.

A fond farewell

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:39:00 GMT

In an extensive show of support, South Africans came out in their thousands to bid a fond farewell to the Ghanaian national team on Sunday.

Football takes on a different centre stage

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 10:34:00 GMT

One hour’s drive from the cry of the vuvuzelas in Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, artists are showing that there is more than enough room for football in the arts.

Worth the investment

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:16:00 GMT

South African finance minister Pravin Gordhan believes that the World Cup has been money well spent, with the event giving South Africa the opportunity to prove itself as a country that can deliver.

Ghana fever grips South Africa

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:13:00 GMT

As the last African team competing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Black Stars of Ghana have captured the imagination of South African fans ahead of their Quarter Final match on Friday.

A new beginning

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:31:00 GMT

As the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ enters the final knock-out stages, many of the host cities are now looking to the future having now completed their World Cup duties.

Volunteers show dedication

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:12:00 GMT

They have travelled from all over the world to be part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and it is in a great part thanks to volunteers that the tournament has been a success thus far.

Brazilians look ahead

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:16:00 GMT

As their team progresses through the tournament, many Brazil fans are soaking up the vibe in South Africa and looking ahead to the World Cup they will host in 2014.

Beyond the call of duty

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:58:00 GMT

With the majority of the matches complete, the South African Police Service is satisfied with the measures that have been implemented during the tournament.

Bloemfontein's big day

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:02:00 GMT

It’s not every day that a city the size of Mangaung/Bloemfontein hosts an encounter on the level of England vs Germany.

The history of hope

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:37:00 GMT

A visit to Johannesburg’s Apartheid museum is offering many World Cup fans an insight into South Africa’s history.

The world comes to Nelson Mandela Bay

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 08:03:00 GMT

The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ has helped to put the coastal city of Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth on the map.

Half-time whistle

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:06:00 GMT

With the group stages now over and the elimination phase under way, the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ organisers reflect at half-time.

World Cup hotspot

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:15:00 GMT

It’s not just the warm weather that has made Durban’s FIFA Fan Fest™ South Africa’s most popular.

Dutch explore SA heritage

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:56:00 GMT

Cape Town and the Netherlands share a historical link that goes back as far as 1652, with thousands of Dutch fans taking the time to explore this during the World Cup.

A new era of transport for Johannesburg

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:40:00 GMT

It may be used mainly by football fans at present, but Johannesburg's new bus system is all set to change the way residents move around after the World Cup has finished.

South Africa’s tourism boost

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:51:00 GMT

South Africa is set for a massive tourism boost as a result of the World Cup as more and more people are exposed to this culturally rich and diverse country.

South Africa stays on top

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:42:00 GMT

The vuvuzelas continued to blow and the South African flag still flew high long after the final whistle had blown at the Free State stadium, despite Bafana Bafana exiting the tournament.

When worlds collide

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:07:00 GMT

Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng stadium is located in the heart of the Phokeng township, giving World Cup visitors and South Africans alike an opportunity to experience true local hospitality.

Portuguese wow young fans

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:40:00 GMT

It was a day few Portuguese fans will ever forget, perhaps none more so than seven year-old Cape Town resident Tanzeel Gamieldien.

World’s most beautiful enjoy Africa’s World Cup

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:49:00 GMT

As Brazil and Côte d'Ivoire took to the pitch in one of the most anticipated clashes of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ to date, the Miss World contestants were there to cheer the teams on.

Dutch move the party to Durban

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:48:00 GMT

First they showed Soccer City stadium what the Orange Army was all about and now the Dutch fans have moved on to Durban, being welcomed with open arms by the coastal city.

World Cup love

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 15:32:00 GMT

It is love of football that has brought the fans from around the world together in South Africa but there was another kind of love in the air yesterday at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.

Mexico sets Polokwane alight

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:53:00 GMT

Polokwane residents came out in their numbers yesterday in celebration of their World Cup city.

Wild design

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:01:00 GMT

Mbombela stadium, with its quirky design and strong link to the surrounding landscape and wildlife gets the thumbs-up from World Cup fans for sheer fun.

Exploring South Africa

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:15:00 GMT

Judging by the reaction of a number of travelling football fans, South Africa is offering up a lot more than just a feast of football action.

Kaka thanks South African fans

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:03:00 GMT

Five-time FIFA World Cup™ champions, Brazil, returned to Ellis Park one year after their victory at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 to enjoy similar fanatical support from fans.

Unsung heroes

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:20:00 GMT

It may be the stars on the field that will receive the global attention, but it is the 18,000 World Cup volunteers around the country that are really making this tournament a success.

Rocking to a new rhythm

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:53:00 GMT

For 90 minutes, Nelson Mandela Bay stadium pulsed an unlikely rhythm as fans of opposing teams Cote d’Ivoire and Portugal joined forces to keep the cold at bay.

NMB fans brave the cold for Portugal

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:50:00 GMT

It may have been freezing cold last night, but for residents of Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth nothing could get in the way of a chance to see the Portuguese team as they arrived in the city.

Orange Army get the party started

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 05:51:00 GMT

Dutch fans ensured that this was no ordinary Monday afternoon for Johannesburg.

A World Cup journey

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:38:00 GMT

Fans from across the globe are congregating in South Africa, many of them experiencing the country for the first time as they travel together on the trains and buses.

A warm welcome in Durban

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:55:00 GMT

The warmest place to be was also the most exciting as the first World Cup match in the iconic Durban stadium kicked off in front of a passionate crowd of Australian and German supporters.

Johannesburg’s African melting pot

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 13:47:00 GMT

As Nigeria kicked off their first World Cup match in Ellis Park on Saturday, the large African community residing near the stadium celebrated Africa’s first World Cup in fine style.

Messi: The atmosphere is great

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 10:56:00 GMT

It is not just the fans that are feeling the warm South African welcome, even the players themselves are enjoying their stay in the World Cup host country.

Fans swarm Rustenburg

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 09:35:00 GMT

Fans from England and the USA flooded the streets of Rustenburg in the North West Province of South Africa yesterday.

Mandela's name held high

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 17:00:00 GMT

The stadium named after global icon, Nelson Mandela, kicked off the first of its eight fixtures in style this afternoon.

A day of celebration

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 15:49:00 GMT

Yesterday saw South Africa, and the world, erupt into celebration as the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicked off at parties around the globe.

World Cup off to colourful start

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:31:00 GMT

The opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ lived up to all the hype and excitement as nearly 85 000 people crammed into Soccer City to watch Bafana Bafana take on Mexico.

Soccer City welcomes the world home

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:49:00 GMT

In a blaze of colour, splendour and song, South Africa gave the world a taste of its warmth and energy in a jubilant opener to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The waiting is over

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:21:00 GMT

The match between Mexico and Bafana Bafana is not the only competition at Soccer City today, with hundreds of eager fans competing to see who would be first through the gate.

World Cup spirit in the air

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:10:00 GMT

Fans are streaming into Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport for the World Cup kickoff and even a thousand feet up in the air, the World Cup spirit is as strong as ever.

Cities gear up for kickoff

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:11:00 GMT

With kickoff now just hours away, FIFA.com spoke to the World Cup coordinators in each city to get an idea of the mood one day before the tournament kicks off.

A sea of green and gold

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:33:00 GMT

In a day that will forever be remembered among South Africans, hundreds of thousands of Bafana Bafana supporters streamed into the streets and brought the country to a standstill in support of the national team.

World Cup set for colourful opening

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:04:00 GMT

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony will be the message to the world that Africa’s FIFA World Cup has started, and the cast and crew are hard at work with last minute preparations.