We have to prepare well to give ourselves chance says SA coach
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By Andrew Warshaw in Cape Town
December 4 – No European team has ever won the World Cup outside of Europe. No host nation has ever failed to get past the first phase.
South Africa 2010
World Cup draw gives hint of passion and efficiency ahead
By David Owen in Cape Town
December 4 – South Africa and Mexico will contest the first-ever World Cup finals match on African soil in Johannesburg on June 11, after the draw for the 2010 tournament was completed tonight in Cape Town.
FIFA to pay clubs for players competing in World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw on Robben Island
Decmber 3 – After years of club versus country conflict, football’s world governing body today agreed to hand over $40 million (£24 million) to clubs whose players compete in next year’s World Cup finals.
France punished for Hand of Henry? Non insist FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw in Cape Town
December 2 - Early yesterday evening in Johannesburg, Ruud Gullit, one of Holland’s most famous footballing ambassadors, shook his head in disbelief at rumours that Holland would not be seeded at next year’s World Cup finals.
Maradona banned from World Cup draw
By Duncan Mackay
December 2 – Diego Maradona (pictured), one of the greatest players in history and now Argentina’s coach, has been told by FIFA that he is not welcome in Cape Town at the draw for next year’s World Cup.
Oscar winning actress to join Beckham at World Cup draw
By Duncan Mackay in Johannesburg
December 1 – South African Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron (pictured) has been named as the guest presenter for the 2010 World Cup draw in Cape Town on Friday, and will be joined on stage by a host of sporting celebrities including David Beckham, Haile Gebrselassie and Makhaya Ntini.
Blatter full of praise for South African World Cup preparations
By Duncan Mackay in Johannesburg
November 30 – Sepp Blatter has praised the South African Football Association (SAFA) for its preparations for next year’s World Cup after meeting its new President, Kirsten Nematandani, here.
Durban opening turns into damp squib but officials still delighted
November 29 – Durban’s new 70,000-seater World Cup stadium opened today, but rain kept the crowd down to around 15,000.
Spectacular Durban World Cup stadium set to open
By Duncan Mackay
November 28 – The first official match to be staged at Durban’s new R3.1 billion (£254 million) World Cup venue, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, a South African Premier League match between AmaZulu and Maritzburg United tomorrow, has sold out.
Chile cleared for 2010 World Cup after club drop court action
November 27 – Chilean club Rangers has dropped a court case that threatened the national team’s participation at next year’s World Cup.
South Africa 2010 confident of World Cup ticket rush
By Duncan Mackay in Johannesburg
November 27 – There will be a rush for tickets to watch the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after the draw has been made in Cape Town next week, the head of the local organising committee, predicted here today.
South African chief angry over England crime warning
By Duncan Mackay
November 25 – Danny Jordaan (pictured), the chief executive of South Africa 2010, has hit out at the British Government for warning fans travelling to next year’s event to be aware of car-jackers.
Mabbutt blows the trumpet for South Africa 2010
By Tom Degun in London
November 24 – Gary Mabbutt (pictured), the former England and Tottenham Hotspur defender, has spoken excitedly about his role in South Africa’s preparations for the 2010 World Cup.
Flag-raising ceremony in Johannesburg marks completion of 2010 World Cup line-up
November 19 – South African organisers of the 2010 World Cup today held a symbolic flag-raising ceremony at its headquarters in Johannesburg after Uruguay by the 32nd nation to qualify for next year’s tournament, meaning the line-up of nations is now complete.