JOHANNESBURG, July 11, 2010 (AFP) - World leaders and celebrities swarmed Johannesburg on Sunday for the World Cup finale between the Netherlands and Spain, capping the first tournament ever held on the continent. The 2010 host revelled in the last moments of the football spotlight for a final expected to draw 500 million viewers and a last chance to showcase an event which has largely conquered sceptics' fears about South Africa's ability to pull it off. "We are coming to the end of a historic, vibrant and very African FIFA Soccer World Cup," said President Jacob Zuma on the eve of the final. "As we look forward to the final match between the Netherlands and Spain, let us pat ourselves on the back for a job well done so far." Zuma called for celebrations to continue until the last whistle in Africa's first World Cup. "Let us keep celebrating, let the vuvuzelas keep blowing and let the football festival continue at Soccer City and the fan parks until the final whistle. This has been a … [Read more...] about Leaders and stars jet to South Africa for World Cup final
Fifa world cup final
Argentina scrape into World Cup finals
MONTEVIDEO (AFP) - Argentina scraped into the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Uruguay as Diego Maradona finally celebrated mission accomplished after a stumbling, lacklustre qualifying campaign. The two-time champions needed a goal by substitute Mario Bolatti on Wednesday six minutes from time to earn the three points and secure the fourth and final qualifying spot from South America. Brazil, Chile and Paraguay had already made sure of their places in the finals. Uruguay finished in fifth and now face a play-off against Costa Rica, who finished fourth in the CONCACAF region behind USA, Mexico and Honduras, to decide their World Cup fate. In a poor match with few opportunities, the crucial moment came when Uruguay were reduced to 10 men when Martin Caceras was red-carded for a foul on Jonas Gutierrez. From the ensuing free-kick, Juan Sebastian Veron had a shot charged down, but Bolatti, on the field for just four minutes after replacing Gonzalo Higuain, reacted quickest to the loose ball … [Read more...] about Argentina scrape into World Cup finals
Chances for Vietnamese enjoying FIFA World Cup match in South Africa
CPV: Budweiser will reward many Vietnamese with trips to South Africa for this summer's FIFA World Cup — not just Vietnam's top amateur footballers, but the company's loyal customers, as well. This month, while the second annual "Bud 6v6 Cup" is being contested in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Nha Trang, Vietnamese nationals who purchase Budweiser at select stores — or at participating bars and restaurants — will receive a scratch card that instantly reveals if they've won one of four all-expenses-paid trips to see the final match of the FIFA World Cup on July 11 in Johannesburg city, South Africa. Consumers at participating bars and restaurants who don't instantly win final-match tickets are still entered to win one of two trips to see a pair of Round-of-16 matches in June. With that prize comes an added kick: the chance to present the 'Man of the Match' trophy after a game — an honor never before bestowed upon a Vietnamese. "Whether you are a die-hard … [Read more...] about Chances for Vietnamese enjoying FIFA World Cup match in South Africa
South Africa: Fifa World Cup Trophy Arrives on 5 May
According to Coca-Cola, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, will arrive in South Africa on 5 May on the final leg of its global tour. During its journey through the country, the solid-gold Trophy will stop at 33 cities and towns across South Africa. The trophy will then arrive back in Johannesburg days before the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Soccer City stadium on 11 June. "Millions of South Africans will get an opportunity to see the FIFA World Cup Trophy up close, and some who would have won competition tickets will have a special moment of taking a picture with the Trophy, and participate in celebrations as it moves across all nine provinces," says Onwell Msomi, General Manager of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Project Team, Coca-Cola South Africa. "This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience as not all South Africans will be able to get tickets to watch FIFA World Cup matches but everyone will have an opportunity to participate in the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour," explains … [Read more...] about South Africa: Fifa World Cup Trophy Arrives on 5 May
USA bid committee to focus on 2022 FIFA World Cup
The USA Bid Committee announced today 15 October 2010 that it has withdrawn from the 2018 FIFA World Cup bid and will exclusively focus on the 2022 campaign. The decision comes after several months of careful deliberation with FIFA, UEFA and members of the USA Bid Board of Directors. Four European candidates now remain in the race for 2018 (Belgium/Netherlands, England, Russia and Spain/Portugal). Since the FIFA Statutes indicate that the competition cannot be held on the same continent on two successive occasions, the 2022 campaign will now be between Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Qatar and the USA. "For some time we have been in conversations with FIFA and UEFA about the possibility of focusing only on the 2022 bidding process, an option we have made reference to many times," said Sunil Gulati, Chairman of the USA Bid Committee and President of U.S. Soccer. "We are confident this is in the best interests of the USA Bid." "We have had an open and constructive … [Read more...] about USA bid committee to focus on 2022 FIFA World Cup