Watch 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals Live Online Free Spain vs Netherlands

Watch Holland vs Spain FIFA World Cup 2010 Championship Live Online

2010-07-09T00:26:00.000-07:00

Watch Spain vs Netherlands FIFA World Cup 2010 Championship Live Online Free - For the first time, Spain is qualified in the Finals after beating the team of Germany last 7th of July in Durban with the Final score of (Spain) 1 - 0 (Germany). Spain has been the best team in Europe by winning European Championship 2008— all the world, really — for much of the last four years. With all but two members of the starting lineup playing for either Barcelona or Real Madrid, the Spanish play with a seamless and fluidity that's almost intuitive. Spain control almost the ball position 13-5 and created many more dangerous chances which gave Germany a very hard time to make a goal.

Stays as undefeated Netherlands advance to the FIFA World Cup 2010 Finals after beating the team of Uruguay last 6th of July in Cape Town with the Final score of (Uruguay) 2 - 3 (Netherlands). They eased their way through the group phases and then disposed of Slovakia, the mighty Brazil and Uruguay. They have played at a consistently high standard and tempo throughout and have peaked at exactly the right time.

Don't miss the FIFA World Cup 2010 Championship Spain vs Netherlands Live Online Free.

Watch Germany vs Spain FIFA World Cup 2010 Semifinals Live Online Free

2010-07-05T08:37:00.000-07:00

FIFA World Cup 2010 Semi-Finals: This is the 2nd day of Semi-finals which Spain will face the Germany the former FIFA World Cup 1990, 1974 and 1954 and the Country host of the FIFA World Cup 2006 on this coming 7th day of July at 20:30 Local Time in Durban, South Africa. Spain qualified in the semi-finals after winning their game against Paraguay last 3rd of July in Johannesburg with the final score of (Paraguay) 0 - 1 (Spain) while on the other hand, Germany qualified in the semi-finals after winning in the quarter-finals against Argentina last 3rd day of July in Cape Town with the final score of (Argentina) 0 - 4 (Germany).

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Uruguay vs Netherlands Live Online Free

2010-07-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

FIFA World Cup 2010: It's already Semi-Finals and the 1st team that qualified in this event was the team of Netherlands after winning their game against Brazil last 2nd day of July at 16:00 in Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth with the final score of (Netherlands) 1 - 0 (Brazil) followed by Uruguay after winning against Ghana in the 2nd game of the same day at 20:30 in Johannesburg with the final score of (Uruguay) 4 - 2 (Ghana) by PSO (Penalty Shoot-out) because of both team doesn't score a.e.t (after extra time). Because of this results, Uruguay will face Netherlands in Semi-finals on 6th day of July at 20:30 in Cape Town.

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Spain vs Portugal Live Online Free

2010-06-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

FIFA World Cup 2010: Spain and Portugal are the teams who will play in Round of 16 to be qualifed in the Quarter-Finals on 29th of June in Cape Town. Spain went to this Round of 16 after they won against Chile last 25th of June in Tshwane/Pretoria with the final score of (Spain) 2 - 1 (Chile) and they ranked 1st in Group H. On the other hand, Portugal also went to this Round of 16 after being drew with Brazil on their Match last 25th of June in Durban with the final score of (Brazil) 0 - 0 (Portugal) which they ranked 2nd in Group G. So don't miss this match later at 14:00 ET. We will provide you a live streaming video for Free, come back later! ! Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Live Online Free.

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Paraguay vs Japan Live Online Free

2010-06-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

FIFA World Cup 2010: Paraguay will play against Japan later at 16:00 in Tshwane/Pretoria in South Africa, after Paraguay drew with New Zealand last 24th of June in Tshwane/Pretoria with the final score of (Paraguay) 0 - 0(New Zealand) which Paraguay ranked 1st in Group F with the records of 1 win 2 draws and 0 loses with the total points of 5. On the other, Japan came to this Round of 16 after winning their game against Denmark last 24th of june in Rustenburg with the final score of (Denmark) 1 - 3 (Japan) which they ranked 2nd in the Group E with the record of 2 wins, 0 draws, 1 lose with the total points of 6. Let's watch out for their match later. We will provide you a live streaming video for Free at exactly 16:00 Local Time. Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Live Online Free!

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Live Online Free Argentina vs Mexico

2010-06-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Live Online Free: It's already Round of 16 after being winning their games. The selected teams to play in this Round are the teams who leads their Groups. Every Groups compose of four teams. So the 1st and the 2nd Ranks of the groups are entitled to join the Round of 16. Today Argentina will play against Mexico . Argentina came to this point after winning the game against Greece last 22nd of June in Polokwane with the final score of (Argentina) 2 - 0 (Greece). Argentina will face their match, the Mexico after losing their game against Uruguay last 22nd of June in Rustenburg with the final score of (Uruguay) 1 - 0 (Mexico) but still they Ranked 2nd in the Group A. Let's watch out out for their game Live Online for Free in FIFA World Cup 2010.

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Live Online Free Brazil vs Portugal

2010-06-25T03:34:00.000-07:00

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010: Brazil will play against Portugal on 25th of June at 16:000 in Durban, South Africa after winning their game against Korea DPR last 15th of June in Johannesburg - JEP with the final score of (Brazil) 2 - 1 (Korea DPR) and also winning their game against Ivory Coast last 20th of June in Johannesburg - JSC with the final score of (Brazil) 3 - 1 (Ivory Coast) in the event of FIFA World Cup 2010. Today Brazil will face their match, The Portugal after being drew with Ivory Coast last 15th of June in Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth with the final score of (Portugal) 0 - 0 (Ivory Coast) and winning their game against Korea DPR last 21st of June in Cape Town with the amazing final score of (Portugal) 7 - 0 (Korea DPR). Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Live.

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Live Online Free Spain vs Chile

2010-06-25T03:33:00.000-07:00

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010: Spain will play against Chile on 25th of June at 16:000 in Durban, South Africa after losing their game against Switzerland last 16th of June in Durban with the final score of (Switzerland) 1 - 0 (Spain) and winning their game against Honduras last 21st of June in Johannesburg - JEP with the final score of (Spain) 2 - 0 (Honduras) in the event of FIFA World Cup 2010. Today Spain will face their match, The Chile after winning their game against Honduras last 16th of June in Nelspruit with the final score of (Honduras) 0 - 1 (Chile) and also winning their game against Switzerland last 21st of June in Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth with the final score of (Chile) 1 - 0 (Switzerland). Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Live.

Watch World Cup 2010 Nigeria vs Korea Republic Live Online Free

2010-06-22T04:38:00.000-07:00

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010: Nigeria will play against Korea Republic on 22nd of June at 20:30 in Durban, South Africa after been defeated by Greece last 17th of June in Mangaung/Bloemfontein with the final score of (Nigeria) 1 - 2 (Greece) in the event of FIFA World Cup 2010. Today Nigeria will face their match, The Korea Republic after losing their the game against Argentina with the final score of (Argentina) 4 - 1 (Korea Republic). Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Live.

Watch World Cup 2010 Spain vs Honduras Live Stream

2010-06-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010: Spain will play against Honduras on 21st of June at 20:30 in Johannesburg - JEP, South Africa after being defeated by Switzerland last 16th of June in Durban with the final score of (Switzerland) 1 - 0 (Spain) in the event of FIFA World Cup 2010. Today Spain will face their match, The Honduras after being defeated by Chile with the final score of (Chile) 1 - 0 (Honduras). Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Live.

Watch FIFA 2010 Games Online

2010-03-29T00:22:00.000-07:00

Watch Live FIFA Soccer Matches Live Online for Free via Streaming. Follow the link below and click on the particular game you want to watch.

According to wiki, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (French for International Federation of Association Football) or simply, FIFA has 208 member associations, which is sixteen more than the United Nations and three more than the International Olympic Committee, and five less than the International Association of Athletics Federations.

Watch FIFA 2010 Games Online

Fifa World Cup 2010 Complete Match Schedule

2010-03-28T23:57:00.000-07:00

This is a chronological list of fixtures for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. All times local (GMT+2). Group-stage kickoff times are subject to change for television or scheduling reasons. The 2010 World Cup Soccer Schedule starts off with host country South Africa playing Mexico on June 11 and concludes with the World Cup final exactly one month later. The following 2010 World Cup Schedule offers times and venues for every match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

See Fifa World Cup 2010 Complete Match Schedule Here

FIFA World Cup 2010 - Johannesburg South Africa Ready To Go!

2010-03-28T04:11:00.000-07:00

FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa declared it was "all systems go" on Friday when it announced the 10 World Cup venues were ready for June's soccer tournament following a final FIFA inspection tour.

"We can say with confidence we have delivered on our promise of 10 world-class stadiums and delivered them months before the tournament even starts," local Organizing Committee chief executive officer Danny Jordaan said on Friday.

He was speaking at the end of the 10-day inspection of the venues across nine South African cities.

"We have certainly traveled a long road since the first stadium inspection tour in 2005. With each inspection we have seen the stadiums develop from an idea on a piece of paper in an architect's office to the magnificent football arenas that we see before us today."

Six new venues have been built for the month-long tournament and a further four renovated, with Jordaan saying it was "all systems go" for the opening match in Johannesburg on June 11.

He added the focus would now turn to "the final detail".

"No longer are we inspecting where a particular wall will be built but where team buses will park, ensuring that security arrangements are nailed down and making sure the fans will be provided with correct signage to take them to their seat," he said.

Organizers had to deal with years of media speculation that FIFA 2010 might move the tournament away from South Africa, as well as repeated concerns over accommodation, transport and security.

Fifa 2010 Qualified Teams

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 USA VS England Online Stream Live

2010-02-25T07:19:00.000-08:00

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 USA VS England Online Stream Live: England will play against USA on 12/06 20:30 in Rustenburg

Not much of a review for the year 2009 as far as World Cup. The only thing that could be said is that the 2009 season was a brilliant year for the England fans, especially if you compare it to 2008. This England team also has certain weaknesses like the injured Glen Johnson with his knee that is weakness in the right back. But it is still a thrill that the team has a plan. Wayne Rooney looks great wearing an England shirt, Lampard and Gerrard can team up and there are lots of options down the wing. Massive thumbs up for Fabio Capello and a superb World Cup qualifying campaign and no doubt a great highlight. We’re all hoping 2010 is just as inspiring and that we put in a good showing at a certain little tournament in South Africa. Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 USA VS England Online Stream Live

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Denmark VS Japan Online Stream Live

2010-02-25T07:12:00.000-08:00

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Denmark VS Japan Online Stream Live: Denmark will play against Japan on 24/06 20:30 in Rustenburg

FIFA World Cup 2010 Denmark vs. Japan. Denmark profile. After not being in the high light for six-year, Danish Dynamite will explode on the football world scene. The Scandinavians did not make it on Germany’s 2006 FIFA World Cup™ and in Austria and Switzerland’s UEFA EURO 2008, but the FIFA founding members made an impressive trail going to South Africa next summer.

The Danes will look to extend their creditable record at three preceding finals appearances, where they manage to play up to the 16th Round twice and one quarter-finals. Denmark’s first stint was in 1986 in Mexico, where they advanced up to the last sixteen. The core group of the team registers the nation’s greatest foot ball triumph in Sweden in the 1992 UEFA European Championship crown. Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Denmark VS Japan Online Stream Live

Watch FIFA WorldWorld Cup 2010 Switzerland VS Honduras

2010-02-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010: Switzerland will play against Honduras on 25/06 20:30 in Mangaung / Bloemfontein

The World Cup 2010 Switzerland vs. Honduras match with Switzerland in prospective. This will be the ninth showing of Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup™ finals when the summer tournament gets on the move in South Africa. This is where Ottmar Hitzfeld the coach and his players are gunning for the top spot. Don't forget to Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Live

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Spain VS Chile

2010-02-25T06:54:00.000-08:00

Watch FIFA World Cup 2010: Chile will play against Spain on 25/06 20:30 in Tshwane/Pretoria

An interview with Jorge Valdivia a Chilean international has always been successful. He has won his national league title in 2006 with Colo Colo club and Sao Paulo State Championship in 2008 then moved to Palmeiras the Brazilian giants.

With his star rising, experts expected him to follow the path to South America. But he made a big surprise when he signed up for the United Arab Emirates team Al Ain last August 2008. This 26-year-old midfield was instrumental in bringing the club three domestic trophies, namely the President’s Cup, the Federation Cup, UAE Supercup during his first season there.

Valdivia was also instrumental in Chile’s qualification in to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, and his dreams and hopes for this year’s event were part of the topics discussed in the interview with FIFA. Here is the interview.
Jorge, how significant is being a team captain? Being a captain is important to me. I played captain for Palmeiras and also led my country. It is a great pride but also needs lots of responsibility. Being captain means setting example for the team and for the youth players, a good role model.

Were you delighted being named 2009 Player of the Year in the Emirati league? It is a significant achievement, as it means the work was recognized. That award is a great incentive to achieve more goals and better play.

Do you want to play for a top European club? Of course, but now the priority is to play in the World Cup. My plan is to ensure to make it to the squad for South Africa. If I make it, I will fight to be a starter. I will do all I can to help my team go as far as possible. The outcome of how I play in the World Cup could be a factor in my European move.

Do you think the draw for Chile was a good one on the road to South Africa 2010? The tournament brings the best players of every continent so all the groups are hard. All groups have great teams with ambitions of winning. With regards to Chile’s group, that was the draw. It is impossible to assess if it is good or bad. After the tournament we will know if it is kind to us. The other three teams in the group are all worthy contenders and tough. Watch FIFA World Cup 2010 Spain vs. Chile, it promises to be a tough one.

Source: usoccer.com

The FIFA World Cup Trophy

2010-01-31T22:41:00.000-08:00

The World Cup is a gold trophy that is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup. Since the advent of the World Cup in 1930, two trophies have represented victory: the Jules Rimet Trophy from 1930 to 1970, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy from 1974 to the present day.

The Jules Rimet Trophy, originally named Victory, but later renamed in honour of former FIFA president Jules Rimet, was made of gold platedsterling silver and lapis lazuli and depicted Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.The Brazilian team won the tournament for the third time in 1970, allowing them to keep the real trophy in perpetuity, as had been stipulated by Jules Rimet in 1930. However, the cup was stolen again on 19 December 1983, when it was taken from a display at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters.

The trophy was kept in a cabinet with a front of bullet-proof glass, but a rear made of wood was pried open with a crowbar. The trophy was never recovered. Four men were eventually tried and convicted in absentia for the crime. The Confederation commissioned a replica of their own, made by Eastman Kodak. This replica was presented to the Brazilian president in 1984.

The replacement trophy was first presented at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, to West Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer. Designed by Silvio Gazzaniga, it stands 36.5 centimetres (14.4 inches) tall and is made of 5 kg (11 lb) of 18 carat (75%) solid gold with a base (13 centimetres in diameter) containing two layers of malachite. The trophy depicts two human figures holding up the Earth.

FIFA's regulations now state that the trophy, unlike its predecessor, cannot be won outright: the winners of the tournament receive a replica (gold plated rather than solid gold).

Shortly before the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the trophy was briefly returned to Italy for restoration before eventually being awarded to the same country.

FIFA 2010 | Torres Spain Best Player

2010-01-31T22:12:00.000-08:00

Watch Fifa 2010 World Cup Online Streaming Live
Fresh from setting a new record at club side Liverpool, having racked up 50 Premier League strikes quicker than any other player in the Anfield outfit’s history, Fernando Torres remains as fiercely ambitious as ever. Still known as El Niño (The Kid), though he is now a father himself, the 25-year-old spoke to FIFA.com about his fine current form and his goals for the future at club and international level.

FIFA.com: Fernando, last month you were included in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI 2009. How did it feel to know that over 50,000 professional players voted?
"It’s a real source of joy and satisfaction as well a huge privilege. Receiving this kind of recognition from your fellow professionals is something very special, which fills you with pride. The fact they admire what you do spurs you on to keep improving, to try and continue forming part of this XI" Torres Replied. Watch Fifa 2010 World Cup Online Streaming Live

Ticket For FIFA 2010 World Cup | Buy Online

2010-01-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

In the year 1930, the first football championship took place and was held after every four years. Due to World War II, the glorious football tournament didn’t take place in 1942 and 1946. This thrilling event is comprised mainly of two phases. They are qualification phase and the final phase.
During the qualification phase of the, qualify teams are finalized. According to the current set-up, there are 32 teams who will contest for this prestigious and wonderful title. The hugely popular soccer is certainly one of the most loved and viewed international championships. You would be astonished to know that the 2006 football final will be enjoyed by approximately 715.1 million people.

FIFA championship is one of the most popular and loved international sports event across the globe. This thrilling sports championship is also known as the Football World Cup or Soccer Cup. FIFA is the abbreviation of Federation International de Football Association and is mainly contested by its member nations comprised of men’s national football teams.

During the eighteen tournaments of the nerve wrecking football world cup, it is only seven nations who have successfully bagged the prestigious title. Amongst all the teams, it is Brazil who has won the title maximum number of times. The powerful team of Brazil has brought the cup for five times, followed by the current champions, Italy with four and Germany with three. Other football champions are Uruguay, Argentina, England and France.

If you are a great enthusiast then you must get ready for thrilling Football World Cup South Africa to be held from 11th June to 11th July, 2010. SO, grab your tickets for the live football championship now! Watch Fifa 2010 World Cup Live

The Cheapest Accommodation For the 2010 FIFA World Cup

2010-01-14T21:32:00.000-08:00

In June of 2010, the Federation Internationale de Football Association World Cup will be in Durban, South Africa. The game schedule goes on for about a month and during that time, Durban will be a hopping, lively, exciting place to be. If you can afford it.

Hotel accommodation in the city is running at over $1,000USD per night during the games. Despite the cost, hotel rooms during the World Cup are filling up fast and downtown Durban promises to be very crowded as the world's greatest football teams match for the Cup.

Where will you be during the games? At home, watching them on television, hoping to catch some of the excitement through the screen? Or do you plan to be there in the mix, amongst the fans and the players, seeing the games live?

The FIFA World Cup is an event like no other. Seeing it live is a once in a lifetime experience that is not to be missed. The games are just part of the experience, however. The whole event, the city, and the people who attend for that month of the Cup are all a part of it. What's the best way to soak in all of the grandeur and excitement that is the World Cup in Durban?

Simply put, it's to be there and to do it the fun way. How about camping just minutes from downtown, just minutes from the beach, and just minutes from the stadium? What if that camping included meals, access to showers and restrooms, and a large, indoor area with a big screen television playing the games all the time?

Well, that you can have.

Why not make it one big tailgate party with your friends at a fraction of the cost of a hotel in Durban? School will be out for the events and so we've secured campgrounds at two of the best local schools to accommodate World Cup attendees in 2010.

The Northlands Primary School has everything you need to enjoy your time during football's greatest moment. Ten minutes' walk from the beach, two minutes from local restaurants and shopping, and just minutes from the stadium and the games, this is a primary location for the FIFA World Cup attendee!

Join us in the best way the FIFA World Cup can be seen during these historic 2010 games in June. For a fraction of a hotel, you can have the experience of a lifetime in South Africa's Durban!

FIFA 2010 World Cup | Where To Stay During FIFA 2010 World Cup Period

2010-01-12T19:03:00.000-08:00

Good news! there is still accommodation available at several Big Five private Safari Lodges in South Africa. After consulting with a range of safari lodges and obtaining their booking schedules which are changing fast on a daily basis, it is clear that there is still availability. At this point in time many safari lodges still have some available lodgings, ranging from several 3 night openings to one of the smaller lodges having taken no bookings at all and being open to negotiate a block booking accommodation for 24 persons for the entire FIFA 2010 World Cup period!

Even better news... many of the smaller lodges have not hiked their prices at all during the FIFA World Cup period. In fact, several lodges have even retained their low season special rates during this period!!! This is in sharp contrast to many hotels and guest houses where prices have been raised beyond belief (up to 10 times the normal tariff) and football enthusiasts can expect to pay in the region of R5,000 per night for a double room! In tough economic times, such "flash in the pan" tactics tend to be counter-productive. Every tourist wants to go home feeling they've had value for money and a worthwhile experience! We would like them to come back, after all.

So... great news for any football fans who already have their World Cup tickets. It may be far more affordable to stay in a Big Five Safari Lodge than in a hotel or guest house. What could be better? Why come all the way to South Africa and miss the opportunity of a unique safari experience?

When planning your accommodation, the location of the stadiums is an important consideration. Some safari lodges based in Mpumalanga and Gauteng are ideally situated for matches at Soccer City, Loftus Versfeld, Royal Bafokeng and the Peter Mokaba Stadiums. Lodges in the Greater Kruger Park are perfect stopovers for matches at Mbombela in Nelspruit.

World Cup Fifa 2010 Qualifiers Draw Results

2010-01-07T04:33:00.001-08:00

Fifa World Cup 2010 Qualifiers Draw - Results

Here are the groups for the Road to South Africa:

Group 1
In this group Portugal will battle with Scandinavia’s Sweden and Denmark for a place at the World Cup 2010. This will be a hard battle, while only the first team will get the tickets. Denmark have the chance to revenge themselves over their neighbor after the defeat in the Euro 2008 Qualifiers.

Group 2
Greece seems to have a simple task in this group. Main rivals will be Israel and Switzerland.

Group 3
The Czech Republic will start as a favorite in this third group of the World Cup 2010 Qualifiers. Poland will look to upset them and Northern Ireland might want to profit from the battle above.

Group 4
Germany have as always an easy task when it comes to a group stage competition. Their only rivals in group 4 are Russia but the Germans are considered big favourites.

Group 5
Spain and Turkey will clash for winning this group of the Road to South Africa 2010. The Spanish side look to have an edge before the start of the Qualifers.

Group 6
A draw expected by all the United Kingdom. England was given the chance to revenge themselves over Croatia in this World Cup 2010 Qualifiers. Third favorites are Ukraine.

Group 7
France and Romania have to fight for a qualifying spot in the Group 7. France are favourites but Romania could create an upset. The Romanians have won their Euro 2008 Qualifiers group against Netherlands. Serbia are starting the Qualifiers with the third chance.

Group 8
Italy have an easy task at the first look of the Group 8. Bulgaria and Ireland will try to upset them.

Group 9
Netherlands, Scotland and Norway will battle for the reign of this group. This is the only group that contains five teams, the others have six.

FIFA World Cup 2010 Preliminary - Rules
The first placed teams in each Group qualify for the World Cup 2010. Europe have 13 places awarded for the World Cup 2010 from a total of 32 teams that will start the final tournament in South Africa. Back to Europe now. Having 9 groups leaves 4 additional places left along with each group winners. The rest of the places are awarded for the four best placed runners-up from all 9 groups.

Watch Live fifa 2010 World Cup Tournament

2010-01-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

Watch Live fifa 2010 World Cup Tournament
South Africa 2010 World Cup football news, scores, stats, and features from the world’s leading soccer websites. The 2010 FIFA World Cup trade; soccer tournament will be held in nine cities across South Africa from June 11 to July 11, 2010.

Watch Fifa 2010 World Cup Online Streaming Live

Buy 2010 FIFA World Cup Ticket

2010-01-05T07:47:00.000-08:00

The third ticketing sales phase for the 2010 FIFA World Cup has seen the number of tickets applied for hit the 500,000 mark within the first ten days. 386,300 of those tickets were requested by South African residents (77 per cent of the total applications), while 114,237 tickets applied for came from the rest of the world.

At the moment, USA leads the list of foreign countries for this sales phase with 22,942 tickets, followed by the UK (20,232), Mexico (7,981), Germany (7,697) , Australia (6,277) and Brazil (4,760). In total, applications from 166 countries have been received (the figures do not include the participating member associations allocated ticket sales).

“In comparison with the previous editions of the FIFA World Cups, the latest ticket applications figures are impressive,” commented Horst R. Schmidt, Chairman of the FIFA Ticketing Sub-Committee. “The number of domestic applications have increased significantly. By buying a ticket, South Africans buy not only a seat to watch a match, but also their spot in South African history”, added Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa.

2010 World Cup draw: US to open against England

2010-01-05T01:41:00.000-08:00

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - The United States will face England at the World Cup for the first time since a famous upset 60 years ago, then play Slovenia and Algeria in the first round of next year's tournament.

The U.S. opens against England in Rustenburg on June 12, the teams' first World Cup matchup since the Americans' 1-0 victory at the 1950 tournament in Brazil.

The United States then meets Slovenia at Johannesburg's Ellis Park on June 18 and completes the first round on June 23 against Algeria in Pretoria. The U.S. has never played either nation.

"This is the best draw we've ever had in any World Cup," said former U.S. forward Eric Wynalda, now an analyst for the Fox Soccer Channel. "No disrespect to England, but this is an ideal group for us."

Several U.S. players are well known to England because they play in the Premier League, including goalkeeper Tim Howard (Everton), midfielder Clint Dempsey (Fulham), defenders Jonathan Spector (West Ham) and Jay DeMerit (Watford) and forward Jozy Altidore (Hull). U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra played for Fulham.

"It will be like a Premier League game," Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said. "The USA is like a team you meet every week. It's better than meeting North Korea and a style of play you're not used to."

The game could feature a matchup of Los Angeles Galaxy teammates Landon Donovan playing for the U.S. against England midfielder David Beckham. Donovan shrugged his shoulders when the U.S. was picked to play England. "It never ends," he said — apparent reference to his connection to the English star.

"This is going to be awesome," Donovan said. "I can't wait. This is going to be great."

The U.S. has beaten England twice and lost seven times in nine meetings. The other victory was 2-0 in a 1993 exhibition at Foxborough, Mass. In the most recent matchups, England won 2-1 at Chicago's Solider Field in 2005 and 2-0 at Wembley last year.

The only official match between the teams was at the 1950 World Cup.

"I think it will be not an easy game," England coach Fabio Capello said. "It's good. USA plays good and the Premier League is the best championship in the world. If you are playing in England, you are a really good player. Like basketball, if you are a European playing in the NBA, you are a good player."

Mexico was drawn Friday to meet South Africa in the tournament opener on June 11 in Johannesburg at Soccer City, which also is where the final will be played July 11. El Tri then plays France, which qualified with the help of Thierry Henry's hand ball against Ireland, and Uruguay in Group A.

In the other groups it was:

Group B: Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, South Korea;

Group C: Algeria, England, Slovenia, United States;

Group D: Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia;

Group E: Cameroon, Denmark, Japan, Netherlands;

Group F: Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia;

Group G: Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Portugal;

Group H: Chile, Honduras, Spain, Switzerland.

Brazil, a five-time champion, wound up in the toughest group and will face two nations in the top 16 of the world rankings: Portugal, which is led by Cristiano Ronaldo, the reigning world player of the year; and Ivory Coast, which has Chelsea's Didier Drogba, who is tied for the Premier League scoring lead with 11 goals.

European champion Spain, which has never won the World Cup, will be a heavy favorite to make it through to the knockout phase.

Germany has won the title three times, but drew a challenging group. Defending champion Italy, trying to match Brazil's record of five titles, should be confident of reaching the next stage.

The Netherlands, which won all its qualifying games, should be favored to make it through to the second round. Argentina is in among the more difficult groups and pressure will be on coach Diego Maradona, whose team struggled throughout qualifying to get the best out of talented stars such as Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez.

Blatter: My New Year wishes

2010-01-05T01:32:00.000-08:00

A successful and exciting football year that featured top-class FIFA competitions is drawing to a close. To stage successful events, the whole football family worldwide needs to stand together and work hand in hand, a feat that has been achieved in 2009.

“One of the final, and most spectacular, events in the annual FIFA calendar is the FIFA World Player Gala and once again, we honoured the best male and female players, who are the key element and most important figures in our game. Football through its universality can build bridges between people and equally make a contribution to society through values such as solidarity, respect and fair play.

“FIFA is more than aware of its own obligation to demonstrate such values. In 2010, the eyes of the world will turn to South Africa and the first FIFA World Cup on the continent. Football for Hope is the cornerstone of our corporate social responsibility programme and a movement which we established four years ago. The objective is to support, advise and strengthen sustainable social and human development programmes in the areas of health, children’s rights, education, anti-discrimination and social integration. I am very proud indeed that we have put our words into action and have taken concrete steps forward, opening the first of the 20 Centres for 2010 in Khayelitsha, South Africa in early December 2009.

“The concept of an education for every child could be taken for granted in many parts of the world, but the reality sometimes is very different. The 1GOAL: Education for All campaign uses football as a platform to improve access to education and health care for children and young people all around the world. Global football stars, the football world and its governing body, FIFA, are behind 1GOAL. This FIFA World Cup is a moment for us to shine and we are determined to ensure that there is a wide-ranging legacy left following this tournament across the continent.

“Our mission is not solely to develop the game and touch the world – it is our duty to make a positive contribution to the creation of a better future.

“I wish you all a thrilling World Cup year, and I am looking forward to experiencing and sharing another memorable 12 months with you.”

Joseph S. Blatter