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

South Africa 2010's unlikeliest star

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:41:00 GMT

Never out of the news, Paul the octopus held the FIFA World Cup's only 100 per cent record and has become one of the tournament's most sought-after stars.

The FIFA World Cup in pictures and videos

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:18:00 GMT

What better way to relive the 2010 FIFA World Cup thank to take a few moments flicking through our hundreds of exclusive photos and videos from the month-long tournament?

South Africa 2010: The Interviews

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:02:00 GMT

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, some of the tournament's biggest names spoke to FIFA.com. Here, we look back at a selection of what they had to say.

Iniesta: I never lost faith

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:41:00 GMT

Andres Iniesta spoke at a press conference on Tuesday where he talked about how it felt to score the goal that made him a national hero.

Defeated Dutch honoured at home

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:59:00 GMT

Disappointment turned to celebration in Amsterdam on Tuesday as some 500,000 Dutch fans turned out to honour the FIFA World Cup runners-up.

Missed chance haunts Robben

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:55:00 GMT

Netherlands forward Arjen Robben has admitted he is being haunted by thoughts of his 2010 FIFA World Cup Final™ miss.

South Africa 2010 in numbers

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:36:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look through the statistics that matter, including records broken and top performers, in our look back at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

A tournament of firsts

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:13:00 GMT

South Africa 2010 was bursting with unprecedented events in a whole range of areas, from team results to player landmarks. FIFA.com now takes you through a full list of firsts.

Global praise for Spanish champions

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:41:00 GMT

Spain earned respect and praise from the global media on Monday after winning their first FIFA World Cup™ with a victory over the Netherlands in South Africa.

Dutch 'still proud' despite the pain

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:06:00 GMT

FIFA World Cup runners-up Netherlands will receive the acclaim of their countrymen on a canal tour of Amsterdam on Tuesday and they have every reason to feel proud.

Ramos crowned as La Roja conquer

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:05:00 GMT

Sergio Ramos has topped the Castrol Index at the end of a FIFA World Cup in which Spain's outstanding defence provided the foundation for a first-ever world title.

Dutch press sad but proud after defeat

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:01:00 GMT

The Dutch press expressed disappointment and sadness on Monday after the Netherlands' 1-0 FIFA World Cup Final loss to Spain, but paid tribute to the national team that fought "like lions".

South Africa 2010: 32 teams, 32 stories

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:13:00 GMT

Join FIFA.com as we take a look back at all of the 32 sides that contributed to the football extravaganza that was South Africa 2010.

Casillas: It hasn't sunk in

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:58:00 GMT

Spain captain Iker Casillas concedes it will take time for him and his team-mates to realise the magnitude of their FIFA World Cup victory after they beat the Netherlands 1-0 at Soccer City.

Fabregas and Del Bosque in dreamland

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 06:38:00 GMT

Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta and coach Vicente Del Bosque have expressed their delight at Spain's maiden FIFA World Cup triumph.

Xavi hails Spanish dream come true

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:52:00 GMT

Spain midfielder Xavi described his country's FIFA World Cup™ victory as a dream come true following their 1-0 defeat of the Netherlands at Soccer City.

Roja, Oranje provide numbers aplenty

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:07:00 GMT

Spain's run of 1-0 victories, a long wait for an extra-time goal ending, and European teams' success in their maiden Final all feature in this statistical review.

Dream celebrated, nightmare lamented

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:46:00 GMT

Spanish media hailed their team's triumph over the Netherlands as a "dream come true", while their Dutch counterparts lamented another chapter in their "football trauma".

'Psychic' octopus seals perfect record

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:41:00 GMT

Paul the "psychic" octopus finished the FIFA World Cup™ with a flawless record as Spain's 1-0 win over the Netherlands left him with eight perfect predictions.

Oranje face up to bitter defeat

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:38:00 GMT

The Netherlands' 14-match winning streak came to an end in heartbreaking fashion in Soccer City, leaving Bert van Marwijk's men to reflect on what might have been.

Iniesta revels in 'incredible' triumph

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:20:00 GMT

Spain hero Andres Iniesta hailed "an incredible feeling" after his goal secured his country the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history.

Van Bronckhorst bows out after defeat

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:03:00 GMT

There was bitter disppointment for Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst as he ended his 14-year Oranje career after the 1-0 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup final.

Madrid merry, Amsterdam agony

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:28:00 GMT

It's party time in Spain as fans across the country celebrate their first ever FIFA World Cup™ Trophy after their dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over the Netherlands on Sunday.

Karembeu: The mark of a great team

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:27:00 GMT

FIFA TSG member Christian Karembeu believes that Spain, and Andres Iniesta, deserve tremendous credit for taking their chance in a tight final with the Netherlands.

Iniesta puts Spain on top of the world

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:09:00 GMT

Spain lifted the FIFA World Cup for the first time after Andres Iniesta's 116th-minute goal secured a 1-0 victory for the European champions over the Netherlands at Soccer City.

Madiba wows crowd at Soccer City

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:26:00 GMT

Nelson Mandela was man of the hour as he joined a host of other celebrities in a packed Soccer City crowd in Johannesburg on Sunday night.

Closing Ceremony sets the scene

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:19:00 GMT

A joyful and star-studded Closing Ceremony provided the perfect prelude to the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final on African soil at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium.

Finals that left their imprint

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:24:00 GMT

With the Netherlands and Spain now making their last preparations, FIFA.com looks back at the showpiece matches from years gone by that helped shape the beautiful game.

Oranje fans rock the Square

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:16:00 GMT

With the Netherlands and Spain set to collide in the Final, fans from both nations gathered in Nelson Mandela Square to get the party started.

The Final in numbers

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:45:00 GMT

With the 19th FIFA World Cup Final just hours away, FIFA.com examines some of the statistics around the two teams and the history of this fixture.

Romario: My heart's divided

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:42:00 GMT

The legendary Romario spoke to FIFA.com about the upcoming Final between two countries he played in, and his expectations for Brazil 2014.

Van Persie: Spain are favourites

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:31:00 GMT

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie speaks exclusively with FIFA ahead of their historic Final against European champions Spain, who he sees as slight favourites.

Artists poised for Final showdown

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Netherlands and Spain meet at Soccer City in the Final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on Sunday. The match, which will end with a new name on the Trophy, promises to be an enthralling spectacle.

Seedorf: Oranje can make their own luck

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:07:00 GMT

Clarence Seedorf has been following the FIFA World Cup as a television pundit and he took time out for an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.

Xavi: We need to be more clinical

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:28:00 GMT

Xavi has admitted Spain need to find their killer touch if they are to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.

Dutch relief as Sneijder shakes off knock

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:42:00 GMT

The Netherlands will be at full strength for Sunday's 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final against Spain after star Wesley Sneijder dispelled concerns over his fitness by returning to training.

Cruyff: Spain are better

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:23:00 GMT

Dutch legend Johan Cruyff feels Spain play better than the Netherlands and expects Vicente del Bosque's side to win tomorrow's 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final.

The serial scorers of wonder goals

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:18:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at some of the brilliant goals the Netherlands have scored in the FIFA World Cup, including gems from Cruyff, Rep, Haan, Gullit, Bergkamp and now Van Bronckhorst.

Gio chasing crowning glory

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst speaks to FIFA.com on the eve of the South Africa 2010 Final against Spain, his last match before embarking on his retirement from football.

Netherlands-Spain preview

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:45:00 GMT

The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final promises to be quite an occasion, with the Netherlands pitting their wits against reigning European champions Spain.

Marchena: Our time has come

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 08:56:00 GMT

Carlos Marchena believes Spain are destined for the FIFA World Cup title, insisting the time for one of football's biggest underachievers has now come.

Busquets making Spain forget Senna

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:05:00 GMT

Marcos Senna was an anchor in Spain's midfield when they crowned themselves kings of Europe in 2008, but young Sergio Busquets is filling those boots nicely at South Africa 2010.

Football hoping for fabulous finish

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Having enjoyed enthralling runs to the semi-finals, both Uruguay and Germany will be hoping to end the tournament on a high in the match for third place at Port Elizabeth Stadium on Saturday.

Record not on Klose's mind

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:26:00 GMT

Miroslav Klose is hoping to shake off a back injury ahead of Germany's match with Uruguay in what will be his last chance to write his name into the FIFA World Cup history books.

Robben happy to win ugly

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:55:00 GMT

Netherlands winger Arjen Robben has said that he would be delighted to win ugly against Spain in the FIFA World Cup™ Final on Sunday.

Dutch eager to get it right

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:59:00 GMT

The new-look Netherlands are hoping to put old ghosts to rest and win their first FIFA World Cup crown on Sunday, as FIFA.com found out.

Dutch trio out to seize glory

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:44:00 GMT

Netherlands stars Arjen Robben, Mark van Bommel and Wesley Sneijder speak exclusively to FIFA.com about the belief that underpins the Dutch quest for FIFA World Cup success.

Van Marwijk: We do not fear Spain

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:38:00 GMT

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk admits Spain play a more attractive brand of football than his team - but he insists the Dutch do not fear them.

adidas Golden Ball nominees announced

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:15:00 GMT

The FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke and adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer today officially announced the 10 nominees for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ adidas Golden Ball.

Fahmy honoured by Final role

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:41:00 GMT

The tough task of overseeing the organisation of Sunday’s Final at Soccer City will fall to FIFA General Coordinator Mustapha Fahmy, who took time out to speak to FIFA.com.

The adidas Golden Ball: a look back

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:05:00 GMT

The adidas Golden Ball is just days away from being announced. FIFA.com takes a trip down memory lane to recall previous winners of the accolade.