The 2010 FIFA World Cup is the 19th FIFA World Cup, the premier international association football tournament, being held in South Africafrom 11 June to 11 July. It is the first time the finals of the tournament have been staged in an African host nation. South Africa were selected as hosts in May 2004 over Morocco and Egypt, following a bidding process open only to African nations. Held every four years since 1930, the previous World Cup finals were held in 2006 in Germany, while the next World Cup is due to be held in Brazil.
The finals tournament sees 736 players representing 32 qualifying teams compete in games held in ten stadiums across the country for theWorld Cup Trophy. The 32 qualifying teams were selected from a pool of entrants comprising 204 of the 208 FIFA national teams in aqualification process that began in August 2007. With 204 initial entrants, the 2010 World Cup equals the 2008 Summer Olympics as the sports event with the most competing nations.
The finals began on 11 June with the group stage, in which the 32 qualifying teams were reduced by half by playing in groups of four teams for points over three matches per team. The 16 remaining teams advanced to the knockout stage, beginning on 26 June, which progresses as a single-elimination tournament. Ties after normal time are settled using extra time or a penalty shootout if necessary, up to and including thefinal match for the Cup, scheduled for 11 July at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg. A match for third place is scheduled to be played the day before.
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