Brazil still No 1 in Fifa Rankings

Brazil remained top of the latest Fifa rankings and will head to the World Cup as the tournament's No 1 team.

There were no changes in the top five with Brazil followed by European champions Spain, Portugal, Holland and Italy.

South Africa moved from 90th to 83rd after wins over Jamaica and Thailand.
France moved up one to No 9, trading places with Croatia who are the only side in the top 10 who failed to qualify for the World Cup.
The lowest-ranked of the 32 World Cup finalists are North Korea who climbed one place to 105th.
The USA, at No 14, heads the three World Cup qualifiers from CONCACAF.
Cameroon lie 19th and are the best of the six African World Cup teams, and Australia, at 20, lead Asia's four qualifiers.

The Vuvuzelas - Bafana's secret weapon

With all the concerns about Bafana Bafana's chances of making it through the first round of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™, the host nation appears to have been handed a lifeline.
It comes in the form of the mighty vuvuzela, a plastic trumpet which emits a noise that has been likened to a swarm of bees, a dying elephant – and other disparaging comparisons.

Following Bafana's drubbing of Thailand in a World Cup warm-up match in Nelspruit last weekend, coach Bryan Robson warned international managers they will have to rethink on-pitch communication strategies due to its raucous roar.
The former Manchester United and England skipper warned that the instrument is going to become Bafana Bafana's 12th man during the month-long tournament.
"The noise out there was deafening and created a fantastic atmosphere, but it was so loud I could not communicate with my players on the field," Robson said.

"If 30 000 vuvuzelas can make such a racket, what will 90 000 be able to do when South Africa play in the World Cup?"

Fifa Fan Fest Areas

Not all fans will be able to get their hands on coveted 2010 Fifa World Cup™ tickets, but they'll still be able to experience the biggest soccer extravaganza in Africa at live Fan Fests - official public viewing events - in all nine host cities.
Millions of fans are expected to watch the matches live and experience the unique World Cup ambience in these outdoor areas. Entrance to the Fifa Fan Fest™ is free, with all 64 matches to be broadcast on giant screens in a safe and secure environment.

Fan fests in Gauteng

In Johannesburg, close to Alexandra township and the Sandton central business district, lies Innes Free Park, the venue for the Sandton Fan Fest. This park, with its rolling grass and water features, will provide a picturesque location for the event, with the Sandton skyline as a backdrop.
Soweto soccer fans will watch all World Cup matches at the Rockville Fan Fest at Elkah Stadium. The venue is conveniently located next to the Thokoza Park station of Johannesburg's new bus rapid transit system. Up to 40 000 people can be hosted at Elkah Stadium.
In Pretoria, fans will be able to watch all matches at the Centurion Cricket Ground, located just outside the city's central business district. With both seating and standing options, fans will be able to view all the games on the 50 square metre screen, with entertainment between games.

Cape Town's Fan Walk

In Cape Town, the Grand Parade will host all soccer lovers. It is situated at the heart of the city and has undergone extensive upgrades in preparation for the tournament.
Getting to the Fan Fest will be easy, with the overhauled Cape Town Station just a few hundred metres from the venue. Or through the Fan Walk, which stretches from the Cape Town Stadium through the centre of Cape Town to the Grand Parade.

Fan Fest on the beach

Durban's Fan Fest is the only one in South Africa situated on the beach - and with the city's all-year round warm weather, fans will be in for a real feast. The Moses Mabhida Stadium is also within walking distance from the Fan Fest.
In the Free State, the Fan Fest will be located at the Mangaung Outdoor Sports Centre in the township of Rocklands, 15 minutes from the Bloemfontein city centre.
Within the venue, five-a-side football pitches will be available and fans will be able to get to and from the Fan Fest on a dedicated shuttle that runs from the centre of town.
In Mpumalanga, Bergvlam High School will host all soccer lovers. It's located just outside the Nelspruit city centre. Ample parking spaces will be available within walking distance of the Fan Fest, with the city providing alternative transport arrangements to ensure that people are able to move between the stadium and the fan fest with ease.
In the Eastern Cape, the Port Elizabeth fan fest will be based at St Georges Park - the oldest park in the city and the site of the second-oldest cricket stadium in the country.
Soccer fans will be able to get to and from the stadium on shuttle buses, or will be able to drive there and park in secure parking areas within walking distance from the venue.

Hospitality packages

In Limpopo, the Polokwane Fan Fest will be based at the city's 107-year-old cricket club situated a short distance from the new Peter Mokaba Stadium. There will be both seating and standing options, with great views of the giant screens. Hospitality packages will also be available for those who wish to enjoy a more exclusive viewing experience.
In the North West, the Fan Fest will be based at Fields College in Rustenburg, a short distance from the city centre. With a capacity of more than 20 000 people, the venue will be able to cater for those of you who aren't lucky enough to get your hands on one of the elusive match tickets.
Both parking and alternative transport arrangements will be in place to ensure easy access to the on¬site festivities.

Big Boost for South Africa

The country's reputation as a world-class destination would be further entrenched after the Fifa World Cup, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has told MPs.
Delivering his budget vote speech in Parliament in Cape Town this week, Van Schalkwyk said the World Cup would leave a tangible and lasting tourism legacy in South Africa.
He was confident that the tourism industry would also benefit from the powerful word-of-mouth marketing when soccer fans returned home as ambassadors and advocates for South Africa.
"Long after the whistle is blown at the last match, we will continue to reap the rewards of investments in this tournament which have catalysed huge developments," he said.
He said the local tourism industry outperformed world trends in 2009, with a growth of 3.6% in foreign arrivals with a total of more than 9.9-million foreign arrivals to the country compared to about 9.6-million in 2008. This increase represented a 7.4% contribution to gross domestic product (GDP).
The total foreign direct spend in 2009 grew by 7% compared to 2008 to R79.4-billion.
"This is a tremendous feather in the cap of the industry in a time when all other tourism markets worldwide were in a slump," Van Schalkwyk said.

Bobby Zamora out of World Cup!

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora has said it was "a kick in the teeth" to pull out of possible selection for England's World Cup squad because of injury.

He was on course for inclusion in Fabio Capello's provisional 30-man squad, named on Tuesday.
But despite starting Wednesday's Europa League final defeat, an Achilles tendon injury - on which he now faces surgery - has ended his World Cup dreams.
"I knew I wouldn't have done myself or England justice had I gone," he said.
"It was a joint decision between myself, Capello, Fulham's medical team and England's medical team. The World Cup is a massive tournament. It's not about myself, it's about England.
"Capello wished me all the best, hoped that I get fit and would be available next season. It's one of those things, it has come at a bad time and the last five weeks have been terrible for me.
"It's been an up and down season because it's been so good on the pitch and I've scored some important goals. To now pick up this injury has kicked me in the teeth. It's come during the last couple of weeks and when there was the possibility of going to the World Cup with England.