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.
Spain hero Andres Iniesta claims he never lost faith in achieving FIFA World Cup™ success, despite a frustrating season with injuries and a bad start for Vicente del Bosque’s side in South Africa.
Iniesta, who scored the extra-time winner for Spain in the FIFA World Cup Final against Holland on Sunday, struggled for long periods last season with a thigh problem and only reappeared for Barcelona right at the end of the campaign. The midfielder then aggravated the injury in Spain’s friendly win over Poland before the start of the FIFA World Cup and was forced off once more as Del Bosque’s side went down 1-0 to Switzerland in their opening match in South Africa.
Liverpool are hopeful that the groin injury suffered by Spanish striker Fernando Torres in Sunday’s 2010 FIFA World Cup final is not as serious as was first feared.
The 26-year-old, who missed the end of the 2009/10 season with a knee injury, suffered the injury just before the end of the 1-0 win over the Netherlands.
Spain’s FIFA World Cup™ winners enjoyed a heroes’ reception as jubilant supporters took to the streets of Madrid in their droves to welcome home Vicente Del Bosque’s history-makers today.
Spain, who last night claimed their first ever FIFA World Cup title after Andres Iniesta’s extra-time winner earned them a 1-0 final victory over Holland in Johannesburg, landed back in Madrid this afternoon before embarking on an evening of official celebrations and festivities.
Spain earned global media respect and praise on Monday for their 2010 FIFA World Cup™ triumph in a bruising Final against the Netherlands that added an eighth nation to the list of the tournament’s winners.
“Spain Reign The Game” said The Times of London with a front-page headline that spread Spain’s red and gold national flag across the top. “Campeon del Mundo”, declared the French sports daily L’Equipe.
This has been a FIFA World Cup™ of firsts: the first on African soil, the first won by Spain and also the first to be assessed second-by-second using the Castrol Index. This innovative system has utilised advanced technology to objectively analyse and evaluate every single player movement, and tonight it crowned its very own FIFA World Cup king.
ShareSpain captain Iker Casillas concedes it will take time for him and his team-mates to realise the magnitude of their FIFA World Cup™ victory after lifting the title at Soccer City last night. Vicente del Bosque’s team, who have been one of the biggest underachievers in the game’s history, capped a [...]
Cesc Fabregas has hailed an “historic moment” for Spain after helping them win their first FIFA World Cup™. The Arsenal midfielder created the only goal for Andres Iniesta in extra time against the Netherlands at Soccer City.
Fabregas has had to play a substitutes’ role all tournament – including in the Final – but revealed the conquest made up for all the frustration. “This is an historic moment for Spain and it may never be repeated – I dedicate this to my whole family.
Spain midfielder Xavi described his country’s FIFA World Cup™ victory as a dream come true following their 1-0 defeat of the Netherlands at Soccer City.
Xavi’s club and country team-mate Andres Iniesta scored the only goal of the game four minutes before the end of extra time after a drab encounter as Spain added the world title to the European crown they won in Vienna two years ago. And having also won everything on offer in club football, Xavi now has a full set of international medals.
“The dream has come true,” said the newspaper El Pais on its website as an exultant Spanish press hailed the country’s first ever FIFA World Cup™ triumph. The newspaper declared 11 July as “a historic day for Spanish sport”.
“Spain, Spain, Spain!” screamed the daily El Mundo. “This World Cup has crowned one of the best teams of all time.”
Fabio Capello sidestepped reports of a communication problem with his England squad after Paul Robinson and Wes Brown both retired from international football at the weekend. The Blackburn goalkeeper and Manchester United defender both made their decisions after being called up for Wednesday's friendly against Hungary at Wembley.... details
O'Neill resigns as Villa managerAston Villa have announced the shock resignation of manager Martin O'Neill with immediate effect. O'Neill was seemingly preparing for this weekend's Premier League opener at home to West Ham United, but a statement from Villa this afternoon announced his departure. No reason has been given.... details
Low relishing 2012 challengeGermany coach Joachim Low has said that he could not walk away from the challenge of transforming his young side from FIFA World Cup™ semi-finalists to European champions.... details
Berlusconi: Milan will never sell Ronaldinho Guardiola hopes for long-term stayBarcelona coach Pep Guardiola wants to remain at the Nou Camp for the long-term, despite insisting on only signing a one-year contract at the club. Guardiola, who has won seven trophies in his first two years as Barça coach, signed a new deal last week which runs until next June.... details
Mazzarri delighted to land CavaniNapoli coach Walter Mazzarri is delighted to have Edinson Cavani among his players. Cavani completed his move from Palermo on Saturday, with the Azzurri shelling out a fee in the region of €12million.... details
Mainz swoop for FuchsMainz have signed Christian Fuchs on a season loan from Bochum, with an option to make the deal permanent next summer. The agreement ensures the Austria midfielder will play Bundesliga football in the upcoming campaign after being relegated with Bochum last term.... details
Cole joins LiverpoolLiverpool have signed former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole on a free transfer. The 28-year-old England international left Stamford Bridge at the end of last season after failing to agree a new contract with the club and has agreed personal terms on a four-year deal at Anfield.... details
Non-stop action in South AmericaDespite the disappointment of not having any representatives in the Final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, South America is already focusing on the future. Both Brazil and Colombia have already been in action at the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup Germany 2010 and the new FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking was published on Wednesday, with some encouraging progress being made by a clutch of CONMEBOL teams. Add to that the resumption of the 2010 Copa Libertadores de America and the fast-approaching return of the domestic league season, and there is more than enough to keep the continent’s football fans occupied.... details
Beckham: I don't want to manageHenry seals New York moveNew York Red Bulls have signed Thierry Henry from Barcelona on a "multi-year contract", the Major League Soccer club have confirmed. The 32-year-old former Arsenal captain moved to the Camp Nou in 2007 and had one year remaining on his Barça contract, but the club agreed last month that he could leave. "Red Bull New York announced today that it has signed star French forward Thierry Henry to a multi-year contract as its second designated player," the club said today in a statement on their website.... details
Udinese rule out Sanchez saleAlexis Sanchez will not leave Udinese this summer despite reported interest from Manchester United and Roma, according to the club's president. The winger has been linked to several leading European clubs this summer after a good performance for Chile at the FIFA World Cup™. However, Udinese have no intention of selling the 21-year-old star, who is currently on holiday.... details
Rajevac keen to stay onMilovan Rajevac wants to remain as Ghana coach, despite receiving several offers following a successful FIFA World Cup™. The Serbian has seen his stock rise over the past month after leading the Black Stars into the quarter-finals in South Africa, where they were beaten on penalties. The west Africans surpassed all expectations, even without star midfielder Michael Essien of Chelsea, and their coach said: "I am still under contract with the Ghana Football Association.... details
Iniesta: I never lost faithSpain hero Andres Iniesta claims he never lost faith in achieving FIFA World Cup™ success, despite a frustrating season with injuries and a bad start for Vicente del Bosque's side in South Africa. Iniesta, who scored the extra-time winner for Spain in the FIFA World Cup Final against Holland on Sunday, struggled for long periods last season with a thigh problem and only reappeared for Barcelona right at the end of the campaign. The midfielder then aggravated the injury in Spain's friendly win over Poland before the start of the FIFA World Cup and was forced off once more as Del Bosque's side went down 1-0 to Switzerland in their opening match in South Africa.... details
Defeated Dutch honoured at homeThousands of fans turned the canals of Amsterdam into a sea of orange Tuesday, honking vuvuzelas and throwing confetti at the Dutch football team after its nailbiting FIFA World Cup™ defeat to Spain. The team, casual in shorts and T-shirts, floated along the seven-kilometre (over four-mile) route on a river boat decorated with orange flowers, sipping beer and making toasts in the direction of the adoring crowds who waved flags, danced and chanted "Holland, Holland" to pumping music.... details