2010 FIFA World Cup Venues and Theme Song

Whenever the World Cup begin, people in my country are going wild. Even though the Indonesian Soccer team is not qualify in the 2010 World Cup, many of Indonesians have their own favorite soccer team. This year will be no different, many cafes will set the big plasma TV screen and watch the match together with all the customers.

Many local TV stations have various soccers games and quiz. Many soccer souvenirs and anything about soccer games will be sold out. 2010 FIFA World Cup will be so fun and I'm already feel exciting about that. 2010 FIFA World Cup will be hold in South Africa (ZA) from June 11 to July 11, 2010. Things that attract me so much about the World Cup are the stadiums. There are ten venues that be used across nine South African cities :

1. Johannesburg
There are two big stadiums in Johannesburg - the largest city - in South Africa for 2010 World Cup, Ellis Park Stadium and Soccer City.

Ellis Park Stadium
or Coca Cola Park because it's sponsored by The Coca Cola company is located in the centre of Johannesburg and has hosted many sporting events in South Africa. Fist build in 1928 as a rugby union stadium. It was named after JD Ellis, a Johannesburg city councilor who approved the use of the land for a stadium, setting aside a full 13 acres.
Capacity : More than 60,000 people. Ellis Park will host five group games and one 2nd round game and one quarter final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Matches :

2010-06-12 16:00 Argentina vs Nigeria Group B
2010-06-15 20:30 Brazil vs North Korea Group G
2010-06-18 16:00 Slovenia vs United States Group C
2010-06-21 20:30 Spain vs Honduras Group H
2010-06-24 16:00 Slovakia vs Italy Group F
2010-06-28 20:30 Winners of Group G vs Runners up of Group H Round of 16
2010-07-03 16:00 Winners of Match 55 vs Winners of Match 56 Quarter Finals

Directions :
From Pretoria

• From Ben Schoeman highway take M1 South split.
• Take the Harrow Road off ramp
• Follow Harrow Road passing Ponte Tower on your Right hand side.
• Just after Ponte Tower turn Left into Beit Street or Currey Street both of which lead onto Coca-Cola Park.

From JHB International Airport

• Take the M2 west from the N3
• Take M 2 East split
• Take the Harrow Road off ramp.
• Harrow Road becomes Siemert Street.
• From Siemert Street you can turn to your Right into Currey Street or Beit Street both of which lead onto Coca-Cola Park.

source : www.ellispark.co.za

This is one of the most artistic stadium in South Africa and African continent. Known formerly as FNB Stadium (First National Bank Stadium). Soccer City will host the first and final matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is located next to the South African Football Association headquarters (SAFA House) where both the FIFA offices and the Local Organising Committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup are housed.

Capacity : More than 90,000 people and this is the largest stadium in Africa. The design of Soccer city stadium is inspired by the iconic African pot known as calabash.

Matches :

2010-06-11 16:00 South Africa vs Mexico Group A (opening match)
2010-06-14 13:30 Netherlands vs Denmark Group E
2010-06-17 13:30 Argentina vs South Korea Group B
2010-06-20 20:30 Brazil vs Cote d'lvoire Group G
2010-06-23 20:30 Ghana vs Germany Group D
2010-06-27 20:30 Winners of Group G vs Runners up of Group A Round of 16
2010-07-02 20:30 Winners of Match 49 vs Winners of Match 50 Quarter Finals
2010-07-11 20:30 Winners of Match 61 vs Winners of Match 62 Final

Directions
From the North
I-275 South (West) to Blue Rock Rd.

• Turn left and go 0.2 miles
• Turn left onto Springdale-Blue Rock Connector
• Turn left onto Springdale Rd.
• Go 0.5 miles to Soccer City on right

From Ronald Reagan Highway
Reagan Highway to Blue Rock Rd.

• Turn right and go 0.5 miles
• Turn right onto Springdale-Blue Rock Connector
• Turn left onto Springdale Rd.
• Go 0.5 miles to Soccer City on right

Source indoorsoccercity.com

The Cape Town Stadium or the Green Point Stadium is located in Green Point, between Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean, close to the Cape Town city center and to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a popular tourist and shopping venue.

One of the most artistic football venues in South Africa, the newly-built Green Point Stadium is situated in one of the much sought-after areas in the city of Cape Town. Green Point Stadium is one of the two semi-final venues for the FIFA World Cup.
Capacity : More than 69,000 people

Matches :

2010-06-11 20:30 Uruguay vs France Group A
2010-06-14 20:30 Italy vs Paraguay Group F
2010-06-18 20:30 England vs Algeria Group C
2010-06-21 13:30 Portugal vs Korea DPR Group G
2010-06-24 20:30 Cameroon vs Netherlands Group E
2010-06-29 20:30 Winners of Group H vs Runners up of Group G Round of 16
2010-07-03 16:00 Winners of Match 52 vs Winners of Match 51 Quarter Finals
2010-07-06 20:30 Winners of Match 58 vs Winners of Match 57 Semi Finals

during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the stadium will be referring as Green Point Stadium.

Moses Mabhida Stadium, is named after a former General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, Moses Mabhida. This stadium is intended to be a world class multi use stadium.
Capacity about 70,000 people. The newly-built Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban will host one of the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Stadium is built on the site of the old Kings Park Stadium and the entire area will feature additional sporting arenas and facilities, like restaurants, shops, play areas for children and a pedestrian walkway from the stadium complex to the beach.

Matches

2010-06-13 20:30 Germany vs Australia Group D
2010-06-16 16:00 Spain vs Switzerland Group H
2010-06-19 13:30 Netherlands vs Japan Group E
2010-06-22 20:30 Nigeria vs Korea Republic Group B
2010-06-25 16:00 Brazil vs Portugal Group G
2010-06-28 16:00 Winner Group E vs Runners up Group F Round of 16
2010-07-07 20:30 Winners of Match 59 vs Winners of Match 60 Semi Finals

Port Elizabeth is the one of the largest cities in South Africa. The city has a new stadium for 2010 FIFA World Cup, The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Capacity : 48,000 people. This stadiium is built overlooking the North End Lake, at the heart of the city.

The stadium, one of the newly-built stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, was completed a year prior to the commencement  of the world's greatest show on earth - a major milestone for the city.

Matches

2010-06-12 13:30 South Korea vs Greece Group B
2010-06-15 16:00 Cote d'lvoire vs Portugal Group G
2010-06-18 13:30 Germany vs Serbia Group D
2010-06-21 16:00 Chile vs Switzerland Group H
2010-06-23 16:00 Slovenia vs England Group C
2010-06-26 16:00 Winner of Group A vs Runner up of Group B Round of 16
2010-07-02 16:00 Winner of Match 53 vs Winners of Match 54 Quarter Finals
2010-07-10 20:30 Losers of Match 61 vs Losers of Match 62 3rd/4th Place Play off

Directions :
From the Airport
Take the N2 to Durban, continue through the four level interchange and take the Umgeni Road turnoff. Turn right under the highway and continue along Umgeni Road . Continue until you reach Argyle Road, turn left and then left again into Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (NMR) and continue to the gate on your left hand side, opposite the Kings Park swimming pool parking where you enter the stadium.

From City Center
Take the Blue Lagoon off ramp. Turn left at the stop street and then left into Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (NMR). Continue to the gate on your right, opposite the Kings Park swimming pool parking where you enter the stadium.

source : mosesmabhidastadium.co.za

This is the old name of Mbombela city. Nelspruit was founded in 1905 by three brothers of the Nel family who grazed their cattle around the site of Nelspruit during the winter months.
The stadium is called Mbombela Stadium now. Capacity : 43,000 people more.

Matches

2010-06-16 13:30 Honduras vs Chile Group H
2010-06-20 16:00 Italy vs New Zealand Group F
2010-06-23 20:30 Australia vs Serbia Group D
2010-06-25 16:00 Korea DPR vs Cote d'lvoire Group G

The stadium is located on open land six kilometers west of Nelspruit, South Africa, with the stadium as the centerpiece of a proposed wider sports precinct with athletics and cricket as well as other sporting codes.

The Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa will be used for the 2010 FIFA World Cup too. The Peter Mokaba Stadium is a soccer stadium in Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg), South Africa,

Named after one of the renowned sons of the struggle and emancipation of South Africa against the apartheid regime, the Peter Mokaba Stadium holds much  historical significance in South Africa. Peter Mokaba was born and bred in Polokwane and was renowned for his fighting spirit and for his inpirational leadership.
The design of the stadium is inspired by the local iconic Baobab tree, with the steel structure supporting the roof.
It is located 5 kilometers from the city center and is located just east of the existing Pietersburg Stadium. Capacity : 46,000 people

Matches

2010-06-13 13:30 Algeria vs Slovenia Group C
2010-06-17 20:30 France vs Mexico Group A
2010-06-22 20:30 Greece vs Argentina Group B
2010-06-24 16:00 Paraguay vs New Zealand Group F

It is from the Dutch language for "spring of Bloem" or "flower spring".

The Stadium here is Free State Stadium. The Free State Stadium is likely to be the centre of attention during the FIFA World Cup. Capacity : 45,000 people more

The Matches

2010-06-14 16:00 Japan vs Cameroon Group E
2010-06-17 16:00 Greece vs Nigeria Group B
2010-06-20 13:30 Slovakia vs Paraguay Group F
2010-06-25 20:30 France vs South Africa Group A
2010-06-25 20:30 Switzerland vs Honduras Group H
2010-06-27 16:00 Winners of Group D vs Runner up of Group C Round of 16

It is one of the official host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, being in close proximity to Phokeng, capital of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, where the Royal Bafokeng Stadium is located.

The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace is one of the stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The stadium is named after the Bafokeng people who live in the area and has a capacity more than 44,000 people. It is used as the home stadium for Premier Soccer League club Platinum Stars.

In the World Cup, the stadium will host five first round matches and one second round match and will be the smallest stadium for the tournament.

Matches

2010-06-12 20:30 England vs United States Group C
2010-06-15 13:30 New Zealand vs Slovakia Group F
2010-06-19 16:00 Ghana vs Australia Group D
2010-06-22 16:00 Mexico vs Uruguay Group A
2010-06-24 20:30 Denmark vs Japan Group E
2010-06-26 20:30 Winners of Group C vs Runner ups of Group D Round of 16

Located in the northern part of Gauteng province. The stadium is Loftus Versfeld Stadium, located in Tshwane/Pretoria. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 and is an all seater venue.

It was named after Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld, the founder of organized sports in Pretoria. Through the years the stadium has undergone various name changes as sponsors came and went, though locals have always referred to the stadium as Loftus Versfeld.

It's a venue for first and second round matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Matches

2010-06-13 16:00 Serbia vs Ghana Group D
2010-06-16 20:30 South Africa vs Uruguay Group A
2010-06-19 20:30 Cameroon vs Denmark Group E
2010-06-23 16:00 USA vs Algeria Group C
2010-06-25 20:30 Chile vs Spain Group H
2010-06-29 16:00 Winners of Group F vs Runners up of Group E Round of 16

Wavin' Flag by K'naan

Oh oh oh oh oh…

Give me Freedom (uh!), Give me fire (uh!)
Give me reason (uh!), Take me higher (uh!)
See the champions (uh!), Take the field now (uh!)
Unify us (uh!), make us feel proud (uh!)

In the streets our (uh!) hands are lifting(uh!)
As we lose (uh!) our inhibition(uh!)
Celebration (uh!), its around us(uh!)
Every nation (uh!), all around us (uh!)

Sing forever young,
Singing songs underneath the sun
Let’s rejoice in the beautiful game
And together, every end of the day

We all say
When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back , and then it goes …

When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back , and then it goes …

Oh oh oh oh oh…

And everybody will be singing it ….
And we all will be singing it …

Wavin' Flag (The Celebration Mix)
by K'naan
Album : Troubadour

When i get older, they’ll call me freedom
Just like a Waving Flag.

[Chorus]
When I get older, I will be stronger,
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag,
And then it goes back, and then it goes back,
And then it goes back

Born to a throne, stronger than Rome
but Violent prone, poor people zone,
But it’s my home, all I have known,
Where I got grown, streets we would roam.
But out of the darkness, I came the farthest,
Among the hardest survival.
Learn from these streets, it can be bleak,
Except no defeat, surrender retreat,

So we struggling, fighting to eat and
We wondering when we’ll be free,
So we patiently wait, for that fateful day,
It’s not far away, so for now we say

[Chorus]

So many wars, settling scores,
Bringing us promises, leaving us poor,
I heard them say, love is the way,
Love is the answer, that’s what they say,
But look how they treat us, Make us believers,
We fight their battles, then they deceive us,
Try to control us, they couldn’t hold us,
Cause we just move forward like Buffalo Soldiers.

But we struggling, fighting to eat,
And we wondering, when we’ll be free
So we patiently wait, for that faithful day,
It’s not far away, but for now we say,

[Chorus] 2x

(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And everybody will be singing it
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And you and I will be singing it
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And we all will be singing it
(Ohhh Ohh Ohh Ohh)

[Chorus] 2x

When I get older, when I get older
I will be stronger, just like a Waving Flag,
Just like a Waving Flag, just like a Waving flag
Flag, flag, Just like a Waving Flag

I just love the lyrics and K'naan voice is make me so exciting about the game :) I think he's a talented singer. The 2010 FIFA World Cup will begin soon and although many said that England Soccer Team and Spain Soccer Team are the most powerful team this year, as an Asian, I really have a big hope for Asian Soccer Teams like Japan and Korea.

Keep the spirit of Fair Play !!