My first memories of the world cup are when USA was host back in the 1994. Samba boys won over Italy on penalties, you know, the famous Baggio miss. I watch the whole tournament with my dad and he tried to thought me of all the rules (so hard to understand what is offside ). In School we only talk about the world cup, on brakes, during classes, all the time. As kids we collect stickers and that is how most of us became aware about current football players. Even ones that don't like football at all, catch a game or two. I don't know, it seems that world cup brings special magic and its meaning is beyond football. I believe that everybody are eager for the the beginning of this marvelous event that took place once in every 4 years, maybe that is why its so special.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, This will be the first time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation, after South Africa beat Morocco and Egypt in an all-African bidding process.
The organisers released a list of ten venues to be used for the World Cup: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg (two venues),  Nelspruit,  Polokwane, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, and Rustenburg.

The group draw was staged in Cape Town, South Africa on 4 December 2009 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The ceremony was presented by South African actress Charlize Theron, assisted by FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke. The balls were drawn by English football star David Beckham and African sporting figures Haile Gebreselassie, John Smit, Makhaya Ntini, Matthew Booth and Simphiwe Dludlu.

On 11th of May 2010, as per article 26 of the regulations of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, each association release a list of up to 30 players (http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/20/86/87/provisional1305.pdf). Each participating national association must confirm their final 23-player squad by 1 June 2010. Teams are permitted to make late replacements in the event of serious injury, at any time up to 24 hours before their first game.

The official mascot for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is Zakumi, an anthropomorphised leopard with green hair. His name comes from "ZA", the international abbreviation for South Africa, and "kumi", a word that means "ten" in various African languages. The mascot's colours reflect those of the host nation's playing strip – yellow and green.

The match ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be named the "Jabulani", made by Adidas, which means "bringing joy to everyone" in Zulu. Already there has been some critics about the ball being unpredictable.
What's plastic, a metre long, brightly coloured and sounds like a bee? It's the vuvuzela, the noise-making trumpet of South African football fans, and it's come to symbolise the sport in the country.

Watch any major South African football match, and two pieces of paraphernalia immediately stand out: one the now widely known vuvuzela trumpet, and the other the makarapa - the modified, decorated miners' helmet unique to South African soccer fans.


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Sites where you can find some interesting information about the World Cup 2010.
Official website for the world cup: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/
Wikipedia on World Cup 2010: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup
South Africa Info: http://www.southafrica.info/2010/

Argentina will do it

Messi and Di Maria ftw.


Furthermore i support New Zealand, i like that country.



PS: Nice pic Jofo, we look similar
Do you use sunbeds?^^

I too think its Argentina this year even though they had a tough time to qualify.  Their two factors is Messi & Maradona.  Surprised they left Zanetti & Cambiaso off the team with the year that they are having.  Brazil has a much weaker than usual squad which should actually help even out the tournament.

You can usually never discount Germany but they don't really have a star goal keeper this time around.  Hope Nando can power Uruguay over France, I think thats it for Lazio Internationals other than Mr.Glass on Algeria.

Would really like to see a game between Argentina vs Netherlands, it would be an offensive masterpiece.

Forza Azzuri!  

Not that they stand a chance but as always will cheer them!
Usually I like Argentina as well but with Messi and don Diego I don't support them. Still better than Brasil though :)

I always tend to cheer for weaker teams. But in all seriousness I believe that we gonna have European final. My prediction is England vs Spain. I also give good chances for some african teams to became sensation of the tournament. That doesn't mean that they go all the way to semi's but they might kick few good nations out.

Someone may wonder why I put aside all south american teams i.e. Brasil and Argentina. Well, they have weak squad compared with previous years and more important unproven coaches with Ballardini like skill's.



So, I'll have good chance among local Austrian girls. Nice 
-No I don't. People from Mediterranean countries usually have more dark tan. We have many sunny days in here.

^^^ It's because like most Italians, I baste myself twice daily in olive oil.

As always, will be cheering for the Azzuri, though i doubt they can go much far. European nations are strong this year. There is Spain, England, Germany. Holland looks very solid, they are among my personal favourites with Argentina for the final. Also expecting surprises from several african teams.

I don't, and for me they are not favourites at all. They were a shambles in qualfiying, beaten 6-1 by Bolivia, beaten by a so called average Brazil side with ease really. They have a manager who ommited Cambiasso and Zanetti from a 30 man shortlist, I don't have the words to describe how ridiculous that is, and it gets worse as from what ive read Diego Milito is likely to be ommited in place of Martin Palermo. However, despite this they have a lot of quality. Enough quality to win, but they are not favourites for me . Spain and Brazil start as the two sides that stand out. Brazil are more workman like than in previous years but they are defensively solid and creative down the channels and with Luis Fabiano up front have a poacher who can score goals. Spain need no introduction, but I still question their ability to hold their nerve on the biggest of stages. Watch out for Holland as well, Sneijder and Robben have shown just how good they are this season. 

I'll be behind the Azzurri, as usual. They'll get through the group and more than likely to the quarters, but if/when they come up against a Brazil/ Spain then it'll probably be curtains. Still, anything can happen. The best team probably will not win as this is simply a seven game format and not a 38 match league campaign. Momentum can be built up through one result, how many saw France getting to the final last time at the expense of first Spain, and then Brazil. Guess thats what makes it a great tournament.