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The coveted Soccer World Cup is contested by members of FIFA
(Federation Internationale de Football Association), football's international
governing body, originally established in 1904. The game has kicked off every
four years since 1930, except during World War II when the lads were otherwise
engaged.
The most recent World Cup Final was held in Germany where Italy (holder of
five World Cup titles) beat the 21st century's team to watch - France.
The most successful World Cup title holders in history:
- Brazil - 5
- Italy - 4
- Germany - 3
- Uruguay (the first country to win a World Cup Final which was also on
its own turf) - 2
- Argentina - 2
- England - 1
- France -1
South Africa, a Chihuahua against greyhounds in international soccer, will
host the 2010 World Cup. Its own team, Bafana Bafana, is coached by newly
appointed Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira.
As township residents, the biggest supporters of football in South Africa,
run amok in the lead up to the World Cup, rugby supporters shake their heads as
they watch the Super 14. The country's roads, rail network and infrastructure
are hardly of international standards, they say. Nevermind the crime, the
xenophobia, the recent Zimbabwe crisis. But a recent African Response poll seems
to reflect the positive mood of the government - 67% of the public agree that
the country will be ready by 2010.
The powers that be are convinced that not only will this be the best Football
World Cup ever, the tournament will give a much needed financial injection into
South Africa's faltering economy. According to South African government
spokesperson, Themba Maseko, the country's preparations towards hosting the
Soccer Cup are on track, including the much-vaunted rapid rail transport,
Gautrain.
The poorest section of the South African population don't have the same
government grants and financial support they would have in the European
community and therefore have become keen entrepreneurs. They will no doubt take
every advantage of the influx of soccer fans in 2010. All that's needed is a
serious tug on the chain of violence that continues to make international
headlines, from xenophobia to carjacking, the latter referred to by a local DJ
as 'understandable' in relation to more serious crimes; a sad reflection of the
country's feelings of helplessness in the face of escalating crime.
However, the World Cup Soccer may be just what South Africa needs to pull
together as a nation as they did, with spectacular results, in the 1995 and 2007
Rugby World Cup events.
Soccer World Cup betting is the single biggest betting market in
the world.
Check back here for all the latest Soccer World Cup betting news and information.
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