One of the most significant events in soccer history will take place on June 11, 2010 when Africa hosts a World Cup for the first time. There is much excitement on the continent about the prospect of hosting such a prestigious event, and no little interest from the rest of the world about how it will all pan out in South Africa. The qualifying process for the competition began in August 2007 and involved 204 of the 208 FIFA national teams. Now just 32 remain.

Italy go into the 19th World Cup as champions after they defeated France on penalties following a 1-1 draw four years ago. That match was of course famous for Zinedine Zidane's head-butt on Marco Materazzi which earned the Frenchman a red card in his last ever competitive match before retirement.

This tournament may lack Zidane, but most of the world's best players will be strutting their stuff, including current European Player of the Year Lionel Messi, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil playmaker Kaka.

The Format

There are eight groups of four teams, with nations playing eachother once. Three points will be awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a defeat. The two top teams will go through to the last-16 knock out stages, bidding to make the quarter-finals and beyond. If matches in the knock-out stage are level after 90 minutes, there will be 30 minutes extra time. If there is still no winner, the match will go to penalties.

The final will be played in Johannesburg, which is one of nine host cities.

Stadia

Soccer City (Johannesburg), capacity: 94,900
Moses Mabhida Stadium (Durban), capacity: 70,000
Cape Town Stadium (Cape Town), capacity: 69,070
Ellis Park Stadium (Johannesburg), capacity: 62,567
Loftus Versfeld Stadium (Pretoria), capacity, 51,760
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Port Elizabeth), capacity: 48,000
Free State Stadium (Bloemfontein), capacity: 48,000
Peter Mokaba Stadium: (Polokwane), capacity: 46,000
Mbombela Stadium (Nelspruit), capacity: 43,500
Royal Bafokeng Stadium (Rustenburg), capacity: 42,000