World Cup 2010 South Africa

World Cup 2010

The World Cup 2010, occasionally called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, because of World War II.

The current format of the tournament involves 32 teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation(s) over a period of about a month – this phase is often called the World Cup Finals. A qualification phase, which currently takes place over the preceding three years, is used to determine which teams qualify for the tournament together with the host nation(s). The World Cup is the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated 715.1 million people watching the 2006 final.

Of the 18 tournaments held, seven nations have won the title. Brazil are the only team to have played in every tournament and have won the World Cup a record five times. Italy are the current champions and have won four titles, and Germany are next with three. The other former champions are Uruguay, winners of the inaugural tournament, and Argentina, with two titles each, and England and France, with one title each.

The most recent World Cup was held in Germany in 2006. The next World Cup will be held in South Africa, between 11 June and 11 July 2010, and the 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil.

World Cup News

Maradona: My cycle is finished July 5th, 2010

Argentina coach Diego Maradona hinted he may resign as he returned home following his side’s FIFA World Cup™ elimination, according to a report from Argentine cable channel Cronica TV.

“That’s it, my cycle has finished,” Maradona reportedly said as he arrived at his home here on Sunday evening. “I gave all I had.” The day before, the captain of Argentina’s 1986 FIFA World Cup-winning side said: “I haven’t decided about my future yet. I have to talk to my family, the players and the federation. It depends on lots of things.”

Rampant Germany oust Argentina July 4th, 2010

Germany are through to the semi-finals after producing another masterful performance to beat Argentina 4-0 at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium. Diego Maradona’s Albiceleste came into this match with high hopes of avenging their quarter-final defeat in 2006 but they ultimately had no answer to a slick, powerful German side who will now face either Spain or Paraguay in the last four.

Intense rivalry reignited July 1st, 2010

Football powerhouses Argentina and Germany reignite their intense rivalry on Saturday in an eagerly-anticipated 2010 FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final, with both sides boasting they will win.

The two countries met at the same stage in 2006 with Juergen Klinsmann’s side going through 4-2 on penalties after counterpart Jose Pekerman left Lionel Messi on the bench.

Echoes of 2006 June 30th, 2010

The lasting visual memory of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ is arguably the ever-present sea of Germany flags, proclaiming a nation’s pride and a country rediscovering patriotism in its most healthy form. People think back to a host nation transformed, from stereotypical dour efficiency into welcoming and celebratory hosts to people from all over the world.

Houllier: Maradona’s personality spurs Argentina June 28th, 2010

I had the good fortune of watching a very interesting and entertaining match between Argentina and Mexico. It was a game featuring style and elegance between two teams that are similar and, above all, very closely-matched.

Tevez shines as Argentina oust Mexico June 28th, 2010

Argentina set up another FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final against Germany by overcoming Mexico 3-1 at Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium. Carlos Tevez emerged as the hero with a brace of goals, while Gonzalo Higuain was also on target as Diego Maradona’s Albiceleste set up a rematch against their 2006 conquerors.

Confident Maradona looks to Germany June 28th, 2010

Fresh from his side’s 3-1 win over Mexico in the Round of 16, Argentina coach Diego Maradona said he will pick the right players to beat Germany in Saturday’s FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final. A double from Argentina’s Carlos Tevez, plus Gonzalo Higuain’s fourth of the tournament, sealed the win while Mexico scored a consolation goal by Javier Hernandez.

Aguirre aims to prove doubters wrong June 27th, 2010

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre is determined to prove wrong those who predict his side are “dead and gone” even before kick-off in their FIFA World Cup™ last-16 encounter with Argentina.

El Tricolor are outsiders to progress to the quarter-finals against Diego Maradona’s star-studded line-up, but Aguirre hopes he can spring a surprise to upset the odds at Soccer City tomorrow night. “Nobody is betting a bottom dollar on us, the analysts are saying we’re dead and gone. We will see,” said a defiant Aguirre.

Maradona worried by Mexican forwards June 26th, 2010

Argentina coach Diego Maradona admitted on Saturday that he is concerned by the threat posed by Mexico’s attacking players ahead of Sunday’s second round clash.

Argentina qualified for the last 16 by winning all three of their group games while Mexico’s progress was more erratic, drawing with hosts South Africa, losing to Uruguay but beating France 2-0 in a stunning performance.

Torrado: We can beat Argentina June 25th, 2010

Mexico midfielder Gerardo Torrado is adamant his side should not be dismissed when they come up against Argentina in the last 16 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Argentina are overwhelming favourites to win the match at Soccer City after winning all three of their Group B matches, while Mexico only progressed from Group A on goal difference. However, Torrado believes it would be wrong for the South Americans to underestimate El Tricolor.

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