Soccer News - world cup - 2010 news

World Cup 2010 mascot revealed: A leopard named Zakumi

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:16:09 +0000

South Africa have tonight revealed the mascot for the 2010 World Cup and it's a leopard called Zakumi. The name is made up of "Za", which stands for South Africa and 'kumi' which translates as "10" in a number of languages across Africa. The mascots 'date of birth date' is June 18th 1994 and according to Danny Jordaan, the CEO of the local organising committee this is a big date for South Africans. "He was born in the same year as our country's democracy." said Jordaan. "Zakumi is a proud South African and an ideal ambassador for the first African...

More promotion needed for 2010 World Cup and ticket prices confirmed for SA residents

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:02:23 +0000

FIFA chief Sepp Blatter has left South Africa and judging by the noises coming from South Africa, he's happy with the progress. He did however, call for more publicity, so we'll do our best to help out. "What I am missing a little bit here is the identification that next year is already the Confederations Cup," he said. "Believe in it," he said. "Make banners and not only in South Africa but everywhere in the world. ... so when you arrive at the airport it says: 'We are ready. Come.'"

Stadium costs soar but 2010 World Cup is back on track

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:15:26 +0000

The cost for building five new stadiums and renovating five others is now expected to be 20% more than the original budget, but the good news is that they are all back on track and will all be ready for 2010. South Africa's deputy Finance Minister, Jabu Moleketi said yesterday, the Government would be asking host cities to help cover the shortfall as they are struggling to cope with the unexpected increase in costs.

Getting closer and closer: Venue managers announced

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:39:28 +0000

It's less than two years away. It seems like only yesterday that we started this site with a petition to get as many names as possible from South Africa to support the World Cup bid. Well, in the latest step, the Local Organising Committee have announced the appointment of eight of the ten venue managers for the World Cup.

2010 World Cup Plan B is an option but we won't know for sure until 2009

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:03:09 +0000

Despite reports suggesting this is the first time we've heard of a contingency plan to stage the 2010 World Cup somewhere else, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, has today brought the subject up again and back into the spotlight. Back in May, Blatter confirmed (http://www.worldcup2010southafrica.com/content/view/422/92/) that the United States, England, Mexico, Japan and Spain would all be ready to stage the 2010 World Cup if South Africa couldn't, because of a 'natural disaster'.

South Africa will host a safe World Cup in 2010 according to Danny Jordaan

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:29:15 +0000

Give us a wave Danny! 2010 World Local Organising Committee CEO, Danny Jordaan has said that in Vienna this week that South Africa would be ready and able to host a safe World Cup. "South Africa has a track record of hosting big events - 11 in the past 14 years - without a single incident. These were safe and we will ensure that the World Cup is no different," he said. Jordaan was hosting a South Africa evening in Vienna as a guest of Euro 2008 organisers, which was also attended by other 2010 officials and several former African footballers,...

South Africa to go over budget for 2010 World Cup

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:18:38 +0000

Exactly two years before the kick off, South Africa Local Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan had bad news for anyone thinking South Africa would bring the World Cup home on budget. "We are presently dealing with cost escalation - a reality that will have an impact on us," Jordaan told a press conference yesterday.

FIFA voice concern over deadly attacks on foreigners in South Africa

Thu, 29 May 2008 14:50:26 +0000

The recent and ongoing violent attacks in South Africa have raised concerns globally and while football should be the furthest from our minds when we hear and watch what is happening, it's raised concerns with FIFA and FIFA have a responsibility. Talking at a news conference in Sydney, where FIFA is holding its annual congress this week Sepp Blatter said "We took note with concern the latest development in South Africa."

Possible ban for Kenya and site changes

Wed, 21 May 2008 08:59:55 +0000

FIFA is close to stopping Kenya from playing its first 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Namibia in Windhoek on May 31st. FIFA have the Kenya Football Federation has been taken over by government appointed officials it does not recognise and FIFA do not like government interference in footballing matters.

Danny Jordaan slams the critics again over preparations for 2010 World Cup

Tue, 13 May 2008 14:33:46 +0000

Danny Jordaan is the CEO of the 2010 Local Organising Committee and for the most part, he spends his time as the face of South Africa's bid. For the rest of his time he's slamming speculation that South Africa will not be ready. We've heard you Danny, now please move on. The fact of the matter is that nobody has written anything about South Africa not fulfilling their part of the agreement with FIFA for quite a few months and every time Danny Jordaan responds to a stupid question, it gets noticed. We know South Africa will be ready, FIFA...

Port Elizabeth first to launch official host city website

Thu, 08 May 2008 01:48:36 +0000

Port Elizabeth (http://www.worldcup2010southafrica.com/content/view/95/83/) are the first host city of the 2010 World Cup to launch their official website and you know what, it's actually quite nice and very informative. The site is packed with lots of information for visitors to Port Elizabeth and if you're going to South Africa it's one place you must visit and visit by road, not air, if you get the opportunity. To visit the website click here (http://www.worldcup2010southafrica.com/component/option,com_weblinks/task,view/catid,78/id,107/).

Parreira to quit South Africa, Eriksson to take over

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 03:07:21 +0000

With the World Cup due to kick off in a little over two years Bafana Bafana look like they could be heading for a troubling few months, as it emerged in Brazil yesterday that the current coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira is set to quit. However, all is not lost as it also looks like SAFA will approach current Manchester City manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson, if his contract is terminated this summer by new club owner Thaksin Shinawatra.

Cape Town launch World Cup poster competition

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:29:25 +0000

Cape Town have launched a competition to design the World Cup poster that will be used all over the Mother City and you've got a chance of designing it, if you're local that is. Durban had over 80 entries and the competition closed on Monday, but Cape Town has just begun and no doubt the other host cities will also soon be running competitions soon.

FIFA demand retraction from The Guardian

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:59:29 +0000

FIFA have apparently demanded (http://www.thetimes.co.za/Sport/Article.aspx?id=740894) that British newspaper, The Guardian, retract a claim that FIFA have established a £400 million insurance fund to assist South Africa if they fail to complete in time for the 2010 World Cup. The story, written by 'Digger' columnist Matt Scott was published online on April 2nd and can be read here (http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,2270176,00.html).

World Cup to cost South Africa $3.7 billion

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:42:05 +0000

South Africa will spend around R30 billion ($3.7 billion) on hosting the 2010 World Cup, according to a report released yesterday. "This report shows we have complied with literally every guarantee we have made, we even went beyond that," Sports Minister Mike Stofile told the SAPA news agency.