The FIFA World Cup has arrived in Africa. After years of preparation the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa\u0099 kicked off on Friday in Johannesburg. An elaborate ceremony, held in the Soccer City Stadium officially opened the month\u0096long soccer celebration. The ceremony was followed by the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa\u0099 in which host nation South Africa earned a 1:1 with Mexico in front of 90,000 fans. In the other match on day one of the competition France and Uruguay drew 0:0 at the beautiful Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
\u200b
\u200b
\u200b
\u200bThe theme of the 30-minute opening ceremony was \u0093Welcoming the World Home\u0094 and featured a cast of over 1,581 world-class artists, dancers, musicians and performers. The official slogan of the tournament is \u0096 \u0093Ke Nako\u0094 – which means simply – it’s time.
\u200b
\u200b
\u200b
\u200bThe 64 match tournament will be played out over 31 days in ten stadiums and nine cities. The 32 participating teams have been split up into 8 groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance from the group stage which will wrap up on 25 June. The round of 16 matches will be played over four days from 26 June to 29 June. From there the tournament will take two rest days before the four quarter finals are played on 2 and 3 July. The first of two semi finals will be played on 6 July in Cape Town’s Green Point stadium, Durban hosts the second semi final on 7 July. The 2010 FIFA World Cup champion will be crowned in the tournament final played on Sunday 11 July at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
\u200b
\u200b
\u200b
\u200bThe CONCACAF region is represented by USA, Mexico, and Honduras. Italy is the returning champion having defeated France four years ago at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany\u0099.
\u200b
\u200b
\u200b
\u200bThe song “Wavin’ Flag,” was chosen as the official anthem of Coca-Cola’s 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa program. It was written and performed by K’naan , the Somalian-born, Canadian artist.