Poster

Fifa.com

The official 2010 FIFA World Cup™ poster was unveiled on 23 November 2007 following a board meeting of the Local Organising Committee in Durban. The poster was designed by the South African creative agency Switch, who also created the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ emblem. The design beat three rivals in a public vote held throughout South Africa from 11 September to 30 September 2007. As the lucky winner in a lottery among all of the voters, South African Marilyn Rhoda was presented with a prize of two 2010 FIFA World Cup™ tickets provided by official sponsor MTN.

"Portraying a country in the shape of a man heading a ball is a new idea with potent symbolism. For me, football is all about emotion and passion, which is why I was particularly attracted to this poster. It invites the world to join in the celebration of the greatest football event on earth, while highlighting the pride and passion of the African continent and her people. It represents the African dream come true. The South Africans made a good selection for the poster, which will represent their country all the way up to 2010," said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

For the first time in football history, the FIFA World Cup™ will be hosted on African soil from 11 June to 11 July 2010. The artwork depicts a celebration of the African continent as well as everyone who calls it home. The simple and yet iconic rendering is symbolic of the relationship between football and Africa and captures a sense of excitement, awe and aspiration. It also reflects the positive impact that the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will have on Africa. Africa is the "hero" of the official event poster. The unique shape of the continent almost naturally lends itself to the shape of a man's profile, while the face represents every single African supporter from Morocco in the north, Gambia in the east, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia in the west to South Africa in the south.

"The official poster symbolises the important role of football in the history, tradition and culture of the African continent. It's also a recognition that football has always been an inspiration for a better future and a generator of hope in Africa. It recognises that Africa has a football face and a football heart," explained Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee.

Bright, vibrant and celebratory, the colours of the poster are inspired by the South African flag, but also draw upon the African continent. The strong yellow background symbolises the sun as the source of warmth, energy and life.

From a total of 16 creative entries, all submitted by South African-based agencies, three proposals had been pre-selected for the public vote by South African residents. The jury was made up of FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke, CEO of the 2010 South African Local Organising Committee Danny Jordaan, Minister in the South African Presidency Essop Pahad, Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi, South African playwright and author Wally Serote, and artist and director of the Vega School of Brand Communication Gordon Cook. Following on from the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in Germany, this was the second time that residents of the host country have been actively involved in the selection of the official event poster.

Zakumi - a Mascot with attitude

Fifa.com

So what can we say about him? One thing is for sure, Zakumi will be first on the dancefloor and last off it at the biggest party in the world - the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. He wants to dance and entertain as many people as he can. He is an animator for fans, players and officials, for schoolchildren, teenagers and big kids alike!
Needless to say, he is extremely proud to be the Official Mascot and determined to be the best host for everyone visiting his beloved country. He symbolizes South Africa and the rest of the African continent through his self-confidence, pride, hospitality, social skills and warm-heartedness.

Zakumi is a jolly, self-confident, adventurous, spontaneous, and actually quite shrewd little fellow. He loves to perform and always follows his instinct and intuition, yet sometimes has the tendency to exaggerate a bit. You will often find him fooling about and teasing people but not in a mean way. He is warm-hearted and caring, and wants to make as many friends as possible.

He loves to play football as it is a great way to connect with others and break down language barriers. He always carries his football around which he will use to invite people to play with him.

Zakumi loves football. At one time he decided to dye his hair green as he felt it would be the perfect camouflage against the green of the football pitch; a bit like his rosette spots are when hunting in the wilderness!

He does have one striking weakness. With all his energy, he needs frequent rests. Occasionally, in-between performances on stage, he may suddenly fall asleep on the spot at the most random times! But rest assured, these are only short breaks that a leopard of his calibre needs to recharge his batteries.

Over the last years he has travelled the whole of Africa where the leopard habitat is good (pretty much everywhere from open savannahs, forests, jungles to mountainous areas, even deserts). He has therefore learned to adapt to new environments; enjoying the diversity in nature and people across the African continent

The name ‘Zakumi' is a composition of ‘ZA' standing for South Africa and ‘kumi', which translates translates into ‘10' in various languages across Africa.

Zakumi's main priority is to turn the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa into one huge, joyful and unforgettable party and show the thousands of international guests the warmth and spirit of the African continent.

"He wants to create a good mood for the fans and raise the excitement for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first on African soil. He is a proud South African and wants to ensure that the world will come together in South Africa," explained Lucas Radebe, South Africa's football icon and close friend of Zakumi.

Official match schedule

With anticipation growing ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, the official Match Schedule has been released. To find out where the games will be played in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Rustenburg, Tshwane/Pretoria between 11 June and 11 July 2010.

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Focus turns to 2010 in Japan

Fifa.com

Just as the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ in Japan and Korea Republic was a defining moment in Asia's football history, so 2010 promises a similar turning point for Africa.
That was the view expressed today by Japan's Junji Ogura, a FIFA Executive Committee Member, who was speaking at a packed Tokyo briefing to update Japanese and international media on ongoing preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. With some of the world's top clubs in town for the FIFA Club World Cup, it was a good opportunity for FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, the CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee Danny Jordaan, South Africa's Ambassador to Japan Gert Grobler, and Ogura to briefly turn the spotlight on South Africa 2010.

"Back then, with Japan and Korea hosting the first FIFA World Cup in Asia and the first to be co-hosted, the international media was a bit worried about whether we could do it," said Ogura. "Asian people too were anxious to see whether the World Cup would be successful or not. Japan and Korea did not at the time have huge roots in world football. But South Korea reached the semi-finals, Japan the last 16, and the event was successful. Because of those factors, Asian people were so pleased and honoured. It lifted the confidence of Asian people and triggered a boost for football in Asian countries."

This passion for the game in Asia is certainly evident in Japan's thriving J.League, with the FIFA President commenting on the atmosphere in the stands from Gamba Osaka's predominantly young fans during yesterday's FIFA Club World Cup victory over Adelaide United. Ogura said the first FIFA World Cup in Asia not only led to the development of Asian nations and economies, but also to the building of lifelong friendships and relationships between Asia and the rest of the world.

By way of an example, he said that hosting Cameroon had fostered relations that have continued in strong economic and social ties, with the Indomitable Lions well supported whenever they return to Japan. "This kind of great exchange of friendship is something the 2010 FIFA World Cup will impart and I am sure it will be very successful."

There's no doubt South Africa will be ready. We're on track. There are no red flags. We're working daily to ensure that it will be one of the greatest events in the world.

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke on South Africa 2010.

For Blatter, as South Africa's organisers end 2008 having made good progress in their preparations, it was another opportunity to state unequivocally that FIFA's flagship tournament will take place on African soil. "I am very happy that I can say the 2010 FIFA World Cup will finally be on African soil in multi-cultural South Africa," he said. "If there are still people who doubt it, I say: the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be in South Africa."

Memories were evoked of Blatter uttering these same words when he unveiled South Africa as 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts on 15 May 2004, and although much has happened since then, his vision remains the same. He said: "We're very proud to bring this World Cup there and at the end of the day to say we've realised something. The World Cup in South Africa will show the world that South Africans and Africans are able to organise the most popular sporting competition in the world."

Jordaan and Grobler said ties between Japan and South Africa were very strong, with the former insisting that concerns from the Japanese and others about security for World Cup were being taken very seriously. He said the South African government had invested R1.3 billion in security for the event and were training 41,000 additional police officers.

"Security for any major event is the most important aspect and we take it very seriously," said Jordaan. "We want the outcome that everyone coming to South Africa 2010 must come back as a returning tourist."

Valcke said South Africa would be a transformed country after 2010 and that FIFA was absolutely convinced of the country's ability to host the tournament. "South Africa is not ready today. No country is 18 months before a World Cup. But there's no doubt South Africa will be ready. We're on track. There are no red flags. We're working daily to ensure that it will be one of the greatest events in the world."

Iran's Zidane back in business

Fifa.com

Few Asian stars have reached as iconic a status among their fans as former France captain Zinedine Zidane. But not so in the case of Karim Bagheri, who became a living legend in Iran after steering his side to the 1998 FIFA World Cup France™.
Bagheri's earlier international retirement was somewhat more low-key than that of "Zizou", who hung up his boots in the wake of his glittering performances at Germany 2006. Bagheri, by contrast, made an abrupt retirement from the Iranian national team after their failed qualifying campaign for Korea/Japan 2002.

But while the French legend has resisted the temptation to return to the pitch, Bagheri, known as "Iran's Zidane", was persuaded to rejoin Ali Daei's Team Melli for a recent FIFA World Cup qualifier against UAE. And there could not have been a more fitting way for the 34-year-old to mark his return that to score a crucial equalizer, in his first international game in six years.

Old comradeship
Daei stunned even Iranian supporters when he announced Bagheri's call-up prior to the UAE game. But long-term followers of Iranian football know all too well that the decision would reignite a very fond memory. Daei and Bagheri made their debuts for Team Melli on the same day, 6 June 1993, and so began a fruitful eight-year international comradeship.

It didn't take too long for them to assume leading roles with Iran. While Daei embarked on a long goal hunt which eventually made him one of the world's all-time scoring greats, Bagheri ran the show in midfield, and developed a knack for scoring crucial goals.

Their partnership culminated in Iran's remarkable qualification for France 1998, when both played key roles in the decisive match. Iran were on the brink of elimination in the make-or-break playoff against Australia, two goals down with only 20 minutes to play. But Bagheri rose to the occasion to pull one back for Iran on 71 minutes, before Daei perfectly sent Khodadad Azizi through for the equalizer that doomed Terry Venables' Socceroos to elimination on away goals.

With their international experiences together still fresh in the memory, it was only natural that Daei should turn to Bagheri when midfield maestro Ali Karimi rejected his international call-up. "Karim is a great player, and we will be able to rely on him against UAE," Daei said at the time.

Unanimous welcome
Bagheri's return sparked excitement among fans and players alike. Mehdi Mahdavikia, the only member of the current team who had figured prominently alongside Bagheri in qualifying for France 1998, led the welcome. "Karim has a wealth of international experience, and it will be an honour for me to return the captain's armband to him," said the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder.

Masoud Shojaei, who captained Iran through Asia's third qualifying round, was another one to show his admiration. "I used to watch Bagheri playing on television, and it's wonderful to be playing alongside him now."

Bagheri, for his part, lived up to expectations, as he nodded home Shojaei's cross ten minutes from time to cancel out Abdulraheem Jumaa's early goal. In the dying minutes, he came close to setting up a winner for Iran, when his deft lob sent Gholamreza Rezaei clear, with only UAE keeper Majed Nasser to beat. But the Saba Battery forward hesitated, and the chance went begging.

Never mind. The veteran had made his point, and Iran will face their remaining qualifiers with the utmost confidence, in the knowledge that the legend has returned...and looks as good as ever.

Ferguson: Mandela amazes me

Source: FIFA

He may have competed in one of the most passionate derbies on the planet as a player, led a team at the FIFA World Cup™ and be the most successful manager in the history of British football, but even Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he was shaking the first time he met Nelson Mandela.
In 1993, Manchester United were one of the first clubs to visit South Africa following the end of Apartheid and they had the opportunity to meet Mandela. The occasion obviously had a profound impact on the United manager, as he included a photo of the encounter in his autobiography, Managing My Life.

Fifteen years on from his first meeting with the former President of South Africa and the Nobel Peace Prize winner, he recalls the incident with an incredible amount of warmth.

When you're in the presence of someone so great, you do get a bit nervous. In fact, we were a bit more than nervous - we were all shaking, even me!

Sir Alex Ferguson recalls his feelings upon his first meeting with Nelson Mandela in 1993.

"It was a fantastic trip," Ferguson told FIFA.com. "We'd just won the league for the first time, so there was a buoyancy and enthusiasm around the club - and there was a buoyancy and enthusiasm around South Africa because Apartheid had ended. We got the opportunity to go to Johannesburg and play two games, one against the Kaizer Chiefs and the other against Orlando Pirates, and they were brilliant games. It was great to go out at the beginning of something special.

"The highlight for us was meeting Nelson Mandela. To be honest, we were all terrified at the prospect of meeting him. When you're in the presence of someone so great, you do get a bit nervous. In fact, we were a bit more than nervous - we were all shaking, even me! He does have a real aura about him.

"We also met him two years ago and were invited to his house and it was amazing how relaxed he was. He really seemed to be enjoying himself, which was great to see. He is a truly amazing man."

Ferguson has been a regular visitor to South Africa in the following years, and believes there has been a remarkable growth both on and off the pitch. He has witnessed improvements in transport and accommodation, as well as a rise in standards on the pitch.

"When I look back to 1993 and compare it to how it is now, there has been an awful lot of progress," he continued. "They've obviously made progress on the pitch, but the infrastructure has also improved greatly. When we were there for the first time, we played in Soweto and Ellis Park. Since then, the Soweto stadium has been completely rebuilt and they've made massive improvements to Ellis Park.

"The national team is going through a transitional phase at the moment. All of their best players at the moment are the experienced players, but national teams go in cycles, particularly for the developing football nations. Sometimes you have a good group and you might have to wait another ten years for another crop to come along. Hopefully, the experience that they'll get between now and 2010 will see them do well at the World Cup."

Ferguson was at FIFA Headquarters in Tokyo today for a meeting with the FIFA President and Secretary General, as well as Manchester United's Chief Executive David Gill. Shortly before the talks, he was presented with a South Africa jersey by Dr. Danny Jordaan, CEO of the Local Organising Committee for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. The Scot smiled broadly as he received the gift and he was quick to give his backing to the tournament, which he thinks will be a successful one.

It will be a superb World Cup. It is a fantastic country and I love it. All of my family do and we've got a house down in St. Francis Bay.

Sir Alex Ferguson has given his unequivocal backing to South Africa 2010.

"It will be a superb World Cup - there's no doubt about that," he said. The fans are fantastic and they'll love having the tournament there. We've always been given a tremendous welcome and I'm sure everyone who travels there will experience the same. One thing that's really going to interest me is the weather. In Johannesburg and Durban it should be beautiful, but in the Cape it could be quite wet.

"It is a fantastic country and I love it. All of my family do and we've got a house down in St. Francis Bay. South Africa is a country with bags of potential. It's beautiful, the weather is great and the wines are magnificent!"

South Africa has also proved to be a lucky country for Ferguson and Manchester United. Following their first pre-season trip in 1993, the Red Devils won the league in 1994. That sequence happened again when they lifted the Premier League trophy in 2007 following a summer visit the previous year. Having been to South Africa in 2008, will history repeat itself for a third time?

"We're hoping it does," laughed Ferguson. "You do get a bit superstitious about some things and places. We said that at official receptions when we went out there this summer, but we have a big test this season because we have games to make up when we get back. But we've got the squad to cope with that."