The 2010 FIFA World CupTM, taking place from 11 June to 11 July 2010, will be the 19th FIFA World Cup. It will be the first time that the tournament will be hosted by an African nation after Africa was chosen as the host for the 2010 Football World Cup as part of a new policy by FIFA to rotate the event between football confederations. Five African nations: South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia/Libya placed bids to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
On 15 May 2004, FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced that South Africa were awarded the rights to host the tournament, paving way for the country to start preparations.
In South Africa, FIFA found a number of world-class cultural and tourist attractions and advanced infrastructure with well- established sports centres and stadiums. They also found a very passionate county that lives and breathes football. In South Africa, football is the main sport and South Africa boasts a very strong sporting culture across the majority of its population.
Ten stadiums in 9 host cities were chosen: Soccer City and Ellis Park in Johannesburg; Free State Stadium in Mangaung/Bloemfontein, Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, Durban Stadium in Durban, Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, Loftus Verfeld Stadium in Tshwane/Pretoria and Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Five of these stadiums are undergoing major renovations for 2010: Soccer City and Ellis Park, Loftus Verfeld, the Royal Bafokeng and Free State stadiums. New stadiums are being built in Nelspruit, Durban, Nelson Mandela Bay, Cape Town and Polokwane.
South Africa is also working flat out to make sure the rapid rail link, Gautrain – a high-speed train between Johannesburg and Pretoria, is up and running in time for the World Cup. Bus rapid transit (BRT) projects are also being implemented in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The benefits of hosting the 2010 Football World Cup will be felt way after the event has come and gone. According to consulting company Grant Thornton, the World Cup will generate around R12.7 billion in direct spending, creating 159 000 new jobs.
The country’s tourism industry will also benefit from the estimated 3 million visitors expected for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
South Africa’s Track Record
FIFA also looked at South Africa’s track record. South Africa is no stranger to hosting World Cup events:the Cricket World Cup, the Rugby World Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations, The World Cup of Golf, the World Cup of Athletics, the A1 Grand Prix, the World Summit on Sustainable Development…South Africa is ‘old hands’ at putting together major events, and looks forward to a fantastic 2010 FIFA World Cup.
