The qualification process for the 2010 Soccer Finals has finally concluded as all 32 participating teams have been determined.  Dreams renewed, hearts broken, tears shed, it is all over.  There are not a lot of surprises as all the favourites such as England, Italy, Spain, Brazil, and Germany will be in action.  Although some of the major nations such as Argentina, France, and Portugal struggled at times, in the end they made it to soccer’s showpiece event.  Something special about the 19th Soccer Finals is the fact that all previous winners of the competition will be in action in South Africa. 

Below are all the teams from the different confederations of world soccer which qualified for the 2010 Soccer Finals:

Europe

Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland

South America

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay

North & Central America, Caribbean

Honduras, Mexico, USA

Africa

Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, South Africa (hosts)

Asia

Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea

Oceania

New Zealand

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

Soccer City, formerly known as the FNB Stadium, is the flagship venue for the 2010 Soccer Finals, as it will be hosting both the opening match and the final.  Originally built in 1987, Soccer City has played host to some of the most memorable moments in South African soccer history, including Bafana Bafana’s 1996 African Cup of Nation’s triumph.   After South Africa was awarded the hosting rights for soccer’s showcase event, Soccer City was completely rebuilt.  Soccer City’s capacity was enlarged from 80,000 to the current 94,000.  Other renovations done on Soccer City include an encircling roof, new changing rooms, as well as new floodlights.  All these changes mean that Soccer City is now officially the largest and most modern stadium on African soil.

Soccer City’s unique calabash-shaped design is one feature that makes it stand out among the rest of the 2010 Soccer Finals Stadia.  The calabash was picked because it is a uniquely African object and a recognizable symbol of the African continent.  In Africa, the calabash is traditionally used for cooking food over a fire.  Socially, it is synonymous with entertaining friends, spending time with family, and sharing stories.

With state-of-the-art media facilities, team whirlpools, top-class VIP areas for dignitaries, accessibility for disabled fans, as well as a top-notch audio-visual setup to keep the fans informed during the game, Soccer City is truly a world class sporting venue.

During the 2010 Soccer Finals, Soccer City will host the opening match, four more first-round matches, a second round match, a quarter-final, and the final.

Games scheduled for Soccer City:

11 June 2010
Match: South Africa vs Team A2
Time:  16:00

14 June 2010
Match:  Team E1 vs Team E2
Time: 13:30

17 June 2010
Match: Team B1 vs Team B3
Time: 20:30

20 June 2010
Match: Team G1 vs Team G3
Time: 20:30

23 June 2010
Match: Team D4 vs Team D1
Time: 20:30

27 June 2010 – Preliminary Round
Match: Team 1B vs Team 2A
Time: 20:30
Determined by the results of group stages

02 July 2010 – Quarter Final
Match: Team 1 vs Team 3
Time: 20:30
Determined by the results of group stages

11 July 2010 – Final
Match: Winner semi-final 1 vs Winner semi-final 2
Time: 20:30
Determined by the results of group stages

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

Cape Town is one of the most significant cities in South Africa.  Cape Town performs an important role both culturally and administratively.  Even though Cape Town comprises a fairly large area, its population density is still low.  Cape Town is most famous for its scenic and natural beauty.  Apart from its famous landmarks, Cape Town also boasts a number of beautiful beaches.  This makes the city of Cape Town a popular tourist destination, explored by tourists throughout the year. 

Interesting Facts regarding Cape Town

• Cape Town was the site of first settlement of both Dutch and English settlers in the 19^th century;
• Cape Town is home to well known landmarks like Table Mountain and Cape Point;
• Cape Town was the largest city in the Republic, until the expansion of Johannesburg;
• Cape Town is the primary harbor and airport in the Western Cape;
• The Port of Cape Town is deemed to be one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world;
• Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa;
• One can see Southern Right Whales on the coast of Cape Town, during the breeding season between August and November;
• Surfing is a popular sport in Cape Town and it organizes a Red Bull Big Wave Africa surfing competition every year;
• The “Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour”, organized in Cape Town, is the largest individually timed cycle race in the world;
• Cape Town has a rich architectural heritage, housing a high density of Cape Dutch style buildings.
• Cape Town conducts an annual Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, a large minstrel festival, known by the name “Kaapse Klopse”;
• The headquarters of Naspers, the largest media company in Africa, are located in Cape Town;
• Cape Town is the capital of the Western Cape and also the seat of National Parliament;
• Cape Town is regarded as the economic centre of the Western Cape and even the regional manufacturing hub;
• Cape Town is one of the most popular tourist destinations of South Africa; and
• Whale watching is quite popular in Cape Town. Bryde’s Whales can be seen here throughout the year.

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

The newly-built Green Point Stadium is truly one of the most artistic soccer venues in South Africa, hence its nickname “The African Renaissance Stadium”.  The Green Point Stadium was named after the Cape Town suburb of Green Point, the area which it is located in.  The Green Point Stadium is only a stone’s throw away from both the ocean and the beautiful mountains surrounding the city, thus providing the perfect backdrop for matches.  Green Point Stadium is also only a short walk from the transportation hub of the city. 

The Green Point Stadium has a capacity of approximately 70,000.  It is also interesting to note that the exterior of the Green Point Stadium is covered with noise-reducing cladding.  Green Point Stadium is scheduled for completion during December 2009.  At the conclusion of the 2010 Soccer Finals, the Green Point Stadium is likely to be used by the professional soccer teams located in and around Cape Town, which include Santos and Ajax Cape Town.       

During the 2010 Soccer Finals, Green Point Stadium will host five first round matches, a second round match, a quarter-final, and a semi-final. 

Games scheduled for Green Point Stadium:

• Friday 11 June: Group A First Round Match
• Monday 14 June: Group F First Round Match
• Friday 18 June: Group C First Round Match
• Monday 21 June: Group G First Round Match
• Thursday 24 June: Group E First Round Match
• Tuesday 29 June: Round of 16 Match
• Saturday 3 July: Quarter Final
• Tuesday 6 July: Semi-Final

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

Coca-Cola Park, previously known as Ellis Park, was first built in 1928 as a rugby union stadium.  It was demolished and rebuilt in 1982, again exclusively for rugby.  It was named after JD Ellis, a Johannesburg city councilor who approved the use of the land for a stadium.  However, in 2008 the stadium was renamed after the Coca-Cola Company obtained the naming rights of the stadium. 

Coca-Cola Park is located in the centre of Johannesburg and has played host to numerous epic sporting events, including the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup between Brazil and the United States.  The ground underwent a significant face-lift before the Confederations Cup finals and as a result it can now seat 62 000 spectators, increasing its capacity by almost nine per cent from the previous 57 000.

Coca-Cola Park will forever occupy a special place in the hearts of South African sporting fans after the Springbok rugby team shocked New Zealand to lift the 1995 Rugby World Cup trophy soon after being allowed back onto the world sporting stage.  It was a moment that brought the people of South Africa together in celebration as the iconic scenes of Nelson Mandela holding aloft the Web Ellis Cup at Coca-Cola Park were seen the world over.

With state-of-the-art media facilities, team whirlpools, top-class VIP areas for dignitaries, accessibility for disabled fans, a new pitch and a top-notch audio-visual setup to keep the fans informed during the game, Coca-Cola Park is truly a world class sporting venue. 

Coca-Cola Park is home to top sporting teams based in Gauteng.  The rugby union side, the Golden Lions, as well as the football club Orlando Pirates play their home games here.

During the 2010 Soccer Finals, Coca-Cola Park will host five first round matches, a second round match and a quarter-final.

Games scheduled for Coca-Cola Park:

12 June 2010
Match: Team B1 vs Team B2
Time: 13:30

15 June 2010
Match: Team G1 vs Team G2
Time: 20:30

18 June 2010
Match: Team C4 vs Team C2
Time: 16:00

21 June 2010
Match: Team H1 vs Team H3
Time: 20:30

24 June 2010
Match: Team F4 vs Team F1
Time: 16:00

28 June 2010 – Preliminary Round
Match: Team 1G vs Team 2H
Time: 20:30
Determined by results of group stages

03 July 2010 – Quarter Final
Match: Team 6 vs 8
Time: 20:30
Determined by results of group stages

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

2010 Soccer Finals Matches in Johannesburg

Johannesburg will play host to 15 matches during the 2010 Soccer Finals in South Africa.  Soccer City Stadium will host the opening match and the final, as well as four other first round matches, a second round match, and a quarter-final.  The opening and closing ceremonies will also take place at Soccer City.  Ellis Park Stadium will host five first round matches, a second round match and a quarter-final.  Johannesburg will thus be the only host city with two Soccer Finals stadiums.  The Soccer City Stadium has been called the home of South African soccer and will be the flagship stadium of the event.

Below is a comprehensive overview of the soccer fixtures scheduled for Johannesburg: (H2)

Games played at Soccer City Stadium

11 June 2010
Match: South Africa vs Team A2
Time:  16:00

14 June 2010
Match:  Team E1 vs Team E2
Time: 13:30

17 June 2010
Match: Team B1 vs Team B3
Time: 20:30

20 June 2010
Match: Team G1 vs Team G3
Time: 20:30

23 June 2010
Match: Team D4 vs Team D1
Time: 20:30

27 June 2010 – Preliminary Round
Match: Team 1B vs Team 2A
Time: 20:30
Determined by the results of group stages

02 July 2010 – Quarter Final
Match: Team 1 vs Team 3
Time: 20:30
Determined by the results of group stages

11 July 2010 – Final
Match: Winner semi-final 1 vs Winner semi-final 2
Time: 20:30
Determined by the results of group stages

Matches in Ellis Park Stadium

12 June 2010
Match: Team B1 vs Team B2
Time: 13:30

15 June 2010
Match: Team G1 vs Team G2
Time: 20:30

18 June 2010
Match: Team C4 vs Team C2
Time: 16:00

21 June 2010
Match: Team H1 vs Team H3
Time: 20:30

24 June 2010
Match: Team F4 vs Team F1
Time: 16:00

28 June 2010 – Preliminary Round
Match: Team 1G vs Team 2H
Time: 20:30
Determined by results of group stages

03 July 2010 – Quarter Final
Match: Team 6 vs 8
Time: 20:30
Determined by results of group stages

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

Thirty-two national football teams representing the six FIFA Confederations will be in action at the 2010 Soccer Finals in South Africa.  A total of sixty-four Soccer Finals matches will be played over a period of four weeks, stretching from 11 June 2010 to 11 July 2010.  The games will take place in nine host cities.  The group stage of 2010 Soccer Finals will consist of 32 soccer teams over 8 groups, after which the following stages will be knockout games.  There will be 48 first round matches, eight matches in the round of 16, four quarter finals, two semi finals, a third place match and a final.

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

Investment towards Airport Upgrades

Both international and national airports within the borders of South Africa will be ready for the influx of visitors expected in the country for the 2010 Soccer Finals. It is expected that the airport updates are moving along such pace that all airport updates will be completed long before the first game kicks off. This assurance was given by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) when the company released its financial results earlier. A capital expenditure budget of R5.2 billion has been spent as of 2005 through to 2009. Most of this money has been used at the country’s three international airports, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The airport upgrades include facility upgrades that are essential for 2010 but will largely be used to maintain world-class standards in aviation and tourism long after the conclusion of Soccer Finals 2010.

Airport Upgrades planned prior to World Cup Announcement

It is interesting to note that much of the airport upgrades, more specifically the infrastructural upgrades, had been planned long before South Africa won the rights to host the Soccer Finals. The awarding of the tournament to South Africa, however, has meant an acceleration and bringing forward of capital expenditure programmes planned for future regulatory cycles beyond 2010. The experience of previous hosts indicated that the event would attract increased numbers of foreign visitors, not only during the weeks of the event itself but also in the months and years leading up to 2010. Apart from having to be equipped to cope with the increased traffic demands, ACSA airports will also have to take account of future and long-term infrastructure requirements which go beyond the Soccer Finals. All airport upgrades are scheduled around long-term requirements and not specifically for the Soccer Finals.

Increased Capacity part of Airport Upgrades
The OR Tambo International Airport will be the main beneficiary of the airport upgrades. The airport’s central terminal development will cost an estimated R1.6-billion. This facility will also include a terminus for the Gautrain, a high-speed train which is to link the airport to Johannesburg, Sandton and Pretoria. Construction on the Gautrain is in an advanced phase. Other construction planned for the airport includes two multi-story parkades, additional aircraft parking aprons, and facilities for the new Airbus A380. Cape Town and Durban International Airports will also be receiving airport upgrades to their terminals, parking and aircraft facilities. Airport upgrades and new facilities have not been limited to the international airports though. A sum of money has also been invested in refurbishments at various national airports during the last couple of years, with provision for temporary facilities during the tournament itself.