African World Cup

In May 2004, FIFA awarded the hosting of the FIFA World Cup to an African country for the first time in the 101 years of FIFA’s existence. As the host, South Africa stands not as a country alone – but rather as a representative of Africa and as part of an African family of nations.

The African Union (AU) has committed its support to the 2010 World Cup. In a declaration of the eighth Assembly of the AU heads of state and government, the AU reaffirmed its pledge to make 2010 a truly African tournament, committing its countries to “full and substantive involvement in the preparations leading to the 2010 World Cup”.

The South African Government is collaborating with African countries on a number of projects that will contribute to the African legacy. These fall in the areas of:

• peace and nation-building
• football support and development
• environment and tourism
• culture and heritage
• communication
• information and communications technology (ICT)
• continental security co-operation.