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10 Reasons to Be Optimistic About World Cup 2010 in South Africa
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It’s no big secret that we’re all a bit worried about World Cup 2010 in South Africa right now.
And though those concerns are very much legitimate, I think it’s time someone offered a few rays of light to counterbalance all the World Cup 2010 doom and gloom.
So, here are ten reasons to be optimistic about South Africa.
1. Great weather
South Africa is a hot, hot country. But not during winter. And since South Africa winter runs May to July that means we’ll have our first winter World Cup. That doesn’t mean snow and ice, it just means “warmish” (17-18°C, 63-64°F) weather. In other words, pretty near perfect. No blazing sun beating down on tired players (remember the Jack Charlton’s USA ‘94 water bottle drama?) should mean a higher tempo of football than usual. And that’s a good thing.
2. Zakumi
After the Trix and Flix freak show at Euro 2008, and Goleo the sex offender lion from World Cup 2006, Zakumi the leopard fills me with optimism. For one thing, he has the decency to cover his nakedness, and the chances of him eating Ashley Cole are better than for any previous tournament mascot.
3. Neutral ground
Every World Cup has been won by either a European or South American team. When the World Cup is in Europe, European teams tend to win it (Brazil’s victory in Sweden ‘58 is the only exception). And a European team has never won it in North or South America (list of hosts and winner here). So the fact that this tournament is on neutral territory means the playing field is pretty much level.
4. Favours African teams
Pele predicted an African World Cup winner before the year 2000. Pele was wrong. But 2010 looks like the ideal chance for an African team to break that quarter-final barrier. Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Egypt, Nigeria? Any of those teams could theoretically do it.
5. South African tourism
Put simply, the South African economy could do with a boost. And there’s nothing like a World Cup to generate a bit of tourism. And there are worse places to be a tourist – check out the image above.
6. Bafana Bafana getting better
The atmosphere at a World Cup depends on the host nation being at least decent. So purely footballing wise, the most worrying thing about World Cup 2010 was that South Africa were a terrible terrible football team. But not anymore. Under new coach Joel Santana, Bafana Bafana have just won five friendlies in a row.
7. SAST
South African Standard Time is GMT+2. That’s a pretty good time for football matches to kick off. If you’re in Europe, the games will be a little later that you’re used to, but not in the middle of the night. And if you’re in the US then kickoffs won’t be too early in the morning (good news for west coasters) and east coasters might even be able to catch games after work.
8. Free tickets for locals
FIFA (and their commercial partners etc) are giving out free tickets to locals on low incomes. The phrase “least they could do” comes to mind, but at least they’re doing it.
9. The match ball
The World Cup 2006 ball was a bit dull. But based on the balls for Africa Cup of Nations 2008, and the Confederations Cup 2009, the World Cup 2010 ball should be a lot more interesting.
10. Leo Messi
At World Cup 2006 he was a bit young. Right now he’s brilliant. In 2010 he’ll turn 23 during the tournament and his performances should be enough to make grown men cry.
Any more positive thoughts for World Cup 2010?
I am SO AMPED for this World Cup. Gonna be sweet. Hoping SA make at least the second round as well.
I very much doubt that the crime will affect the world cup. It stems from extreme poverty, and I’m sure there’s going to be a LOT of security in & around stadiums and tourist areas.
On another note, what is the red arrow at the top of the picture?
11. netherlands or germany will win the wc2010
Posted from 
United States
Lets hope the world Cup rocks…
Posted from 
India
You pretty say everything, Daryl.
Speaking of time difference, that means there is going to be a six-hour difference between South Africa and where I come from (Singapore). Except during the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea (where both countries are an hour ahead of here), I have to watch football matches late in the night or rather in the wee hours of the morning. It happened in the 2006 World Cup and it was the same thing during Euro 2008 last year. I am used to it though.
‘It stems from extreme poverty, and I’m sure there’s going to be a LOT of security in & around stadiums and tourist areas.’
Yup. The Olympics in Beijing last year was already an example when it comes to implementing security measures.
It is always about the crime rate in South Africa which generate the headlines. But seriously for me, since this is going to be the first time the World Cup is going to be held in the African continent, it is going to be exciting.
Posted from 
Singapore
Can’t wait. Ill be there hopefully. As for predictions? Wouldn’t Argentina Spain in the final be heaven for 90 minutes (or more!)? Im backing Egypt to be the African nation that is the dark horse. Strikeforce of Mido, Zidan, Zaki then throw in Aboutreka, Ghaly and some others…. They have the potential…
Posted from United States
“But 2010 looks like the ideal chance for an African team to break that quarter-final barrier. Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Egypt, Nigeria? Any of those teams could theoretically do it.”
This comment was pretty stupid…
Theoretically any country can do it.
Feeling a bit pedantic sdfsd?
OK, so it’s badly phrased. But the meaning is obvious.
A World Cup in Africa possibly represents the best ever chance for an African team to go beyond the quarter-finals.
Hey SDFSD, if your gonna be like that, actually theoretically NOT any country can do it. Like Eritrea, who withdrew from qualifying. Or the dozens and dozens of teams already eliminated from qualifying. They can’t do it either.
SO GET A GRIP.
You are making a lot of good points. I like your comment about the mascot. Right on;-)
Lionel Messi? It is very hard to predict the dominant player in advance.
Who will win this event? WAY too early to make any predictions!
I’d like to know how many tickets will be given away to low income locals. I think it could be a key element to gather more support from the general population.
The public viewing parties in Germany in 2006 were a HUGE success. If something like that could be organized in a peaceful manner it would send a very positive signal to the rest of the world.
For some reason, I strongly believe England will win in 2010. As long as they don’t go to PKs.
1) Zakumi- sei un mito!
2) Bafana Bafana- ummm… well…. perhaps someday
3) Free tix- wooo hoooo!!!
4) Quarter-finals – you cannot be serious. Sorry but this is rather akin to saying if San Marino had qualified- they could make it… . I would not even share this “insight” with my Nigerian friends nor do I think any of them would agree with this.
5) It will be great if this kills the ratial make-up of SAFO fans. With history- it must be said- so many different people checking out SA for the match could kill the crappy way that SA fans are mostly black and whites like cricket- come on people- kick racism, homophobia AND racial divides out of the beautiful game- wooo hoooo!!!
6) Perhaps the Orlando Pirates will gain some international acclaim- for their cool name, politics and emblem if nothing else… .
Posted from United States
wc2010 gonna be sweet
Posted from United States
Gute Arbeit hier! Gute Inhalte.
Posted from United States
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Forget that South Africa has the highest per capita murder rate in the world – I strongly believe the WC will be a success.
Why wouldn’t I believe the tournament organizer and number one evangelist Danny Jorda(a)n – after all – his last name is JORDAN.
From a sports perspective, that’s enough for me.
My tickets are booked. Hopefully, Benayoun & co. will meet me there.
Posted from
United States