(AP Photo/Gero Breloer)
The 1st ever World Cup on African soil was itself already a historic event. It seems as though the play of the teams on the pitch and the final 16 teams remaining in the tournament have made more history than anyone could have imagined.

The biggest story of the end of the group stage is that defending champions Italy will be going back to Lo Stivale, after their stunning elimination at the hands of Slovakia. The Italians were dull in attack and played uninspired defense. Slovakia's 3-2 win in Johannesburg at Ellis Park gave Slovakia its 1st ever Round of 16 birth in its first ever World Cup as an independent, sovereign nation.

Italy's elimination was due to poor play on the field but France's elimination was due to poor play and disgraceful team attitude. France scored only 1 goal and earned only one point. This is justice and pure bliss for Ireland fans. France and Italy, the two finalists from 2006 are out in the group stage. Another World Cup historical mark as the 2010 WC tournament is the 1st time that the previous tournament finalists didn't advance out of the group stage.

The first World Cup was played in 1930 and there are historical firsts that have happened in this tournament that have not occurred since the 1930 World Cup. The 2010 World Cup is first WC since 1930, where more teams from the Americas have advanced to the Round of 16 than teams from Europe. Americas = 7 v. Europe = 6. The US winning Group C in 2010 is the first time since 1930 that The Stars & Stripes have won a group. Thanks of course to Landon Donovan's game winner at the death against Algeria.

(AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Bafana Bafana also made unfortunate history by becoming the only host nation not to advance to the knockout stage but they did score goals, they did win a match, and earned 4 points missing out on the Round of 16 on goal difference. South Africa's group stage exit was not what the nation, FIFA, or the world wanted but Bafana Bafana did much better than football experts thought and honored their nation with their brave play.

Watch out for Japan in 2010. The Samurai Blue won their 1st World Cup match outside of Nippon when they beat Cameroon 1-0 in Group E play. In the final group match, Japan defeated Denmark 3-1 in an elimination game to secure its first Round of 16 berth outside of Japanese soil. Japan forward Keisuke Honda has scored 2 of the teams' 4 goals and is looking like the breakout star of the tournament.
(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

The Round of 16 begins on Saturday, June 26 [Happy Birthday, Mom] when Uruguay, the winners of Group A, face Korea Republic, the runner-up of Group B. The match will take place at Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth in Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

The FIFA continental confederation breakdown of the Round of 16 teams are:

UEFA (Europe): 6 - Netherlands, Slovakia, Germany, England, Spain, Portugal

CONMEBOL (South America): 5 - Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay

CONCACAF (Central & North America, Caribbean): 2 - USA & Mexico

AFC (Asia): 2 - South Korea & Japan

CAF (Africa): 1 - Ghana

Take a look at the bracket for the knockout stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

South Africa WC - Round of 16 Historical Firsts

VS.

The vuvuzelas were in full effect in Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg as the 2010 World Cup finally got underway. After words from FIFA President Sepp Blatter and South African President Jacob Zuma and handshakes from representatives of the South African and Mexican football associations, the ball started rolling and the opening match began.

The Mexicans came out strong the first 10 minutes as the Bafana Bafana probably experienced some nerves and El Tri took advantage. In the 2nd minute, Mexico's Paul Aguilar crossed into the box the ball was fumbled by South African keeper Itumeleng Khune and Giovani Dos Santos jumped on it and shot but South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena deflected it away safely.

The Mexicans continued to pressure the South African goal in the first half, Guille Franco missed open headers in the 14th & 39th minutes. In the 34th minute Carlos Vela chipped over the South Africa backline to a cutting Guille Franco in the box whose leaping touch was deflected away by Khune.

The first goal of the game appeared to have been scored off a corner when Dos Santos' corner kick bounced off Guille Franco's chest past Khune to an open Vela who poked the ball in at the far post. However, the goal was disallowed as Vela was called offside despite a South African defender sitting on the goal line.

South Africa settled their nerves towards the end of the first half and began to unlock the Mexican defense. In the 44th minute, Teko Modise played a nice pass to Siphiwe Tshabalala down the left side who sent a cross to striker Katlego Mphela but Mphela couldn't get his head to the ball and it sailed through the box untouched with no damage to Mexico.

In the 2nd half, the moment all of South Africa waited for came in the 54th minute off a well-played counter attack. A nice 1-2 with Steven Pienaar and Mphela at midfield freed Tshabalala as Mphela played a well-placed through ball down the left side to Tshabalala who got into the box behind the Mexican defense and fired a GOLAZO past Mexican keeper Oscar Perez in the upper corner of the goal for the 1-0 lead.(Photo © 2010 ZumaPress)

Mexico equalized in the 79th minute when a centering pass from Andres Guardado found Rafael Marquez alone in the 6 yard box. The Barcelona defender blasted the ball past Khune for the 1-1 score. A mistake by Mokoena kept Marquez and 2 other Mexican players on side putting Khune in an unenviable position.
(Photo © 2010 ZumaPress)

South Africa almost pulled out a dramatic 3 points in the 90th minute, when Khune sent a long ball up the pitch catching the Mexican backline off guard and playing Mphela behind the defense with a defender on his back, Mphela shot deflected off the near post as he tried to sneak a shot past Perez.

The final whistle blew and the match ended 1-1, South Africa is now unbeaten in 13 straight matches and South Africa keeps African teams unbeaten in World Cup opening matches. South Africa faces Uruguay next on the 16th in Tshwane/Pretoria while Mexico next takes on France on the 17th in Polokwane.

Go to FIFA's website to get the official match report.

South Africa vs. Mexico - Match Wrap

This World Cup will have 34 players representing a country different from where they were born. The first case was reported in 1934, when the Argentine born Luis Monti represented Italy. During the FIFA congress in Stockholm on October 192, Italy was chosen to host the 1934 world cup. The current political leader of that time, Benito Mussolini, wanted to strengthen his campaign and he decided to use the world cup to his benefit. That squad had 5 international players: Monti, Guaita, Demaria and Orsi (Argentina) and Guarisi (Brazil). In 1930 Monti had represented Argentina, obtaining a 2nd place finish in the world cup.

In 2006, history repeated itself, when Mauro Camoranesi (Argentina) joined Italy and won the World Cup.

Squads with International Players:

Argentina: Gonzalo Higuain (Born in Lens, France).

Chile: Matias Fernandez (Argentina)

Paraguay: Lucas Barrios, Jonathan Santana and Nestor Ortigoza (Argentina).

Greece: Vyntra (Czech Republic), Ninis (Albania).

France: Mandada (Congo), Patrice Evra (Senegal), Malouda (French Guyana).

United States: Jose Torres (Mexico), Benny Feilhaber (Brasil).

North Korea: Ahn Young-Hak (Japan).

Portugal: Deco,Pepe and Liedson Da Silva(Brasil), Nani and Rolando (Cape Verde).

Germany: Miroslav Klose, Lucas Podolski (Poland), Cacau (Brasil).

Switzerland: Valon Behrami, Albert Bunjaku and Xherdan Shaqiri (Kosovo), Gelson Fernandes (Cape Verde),Blaise Nkufo (Zaire).

Italy: Mauro Camoranesi (Argentina).

Japan: Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Brasil).

Serbia: Vladimir Zdravko Kusmanovic (Switzerland).

Australia: Vidosic (Croacia) and Djite (United States).

Nigeria: Odemwingie (Uzbekistan).

Cote d’Ivoire: Sol Bamba and Guy Demel (France).

There are also 12 National teams with Foreign coaches:

Switzerland: Ottmar Hitzfeld (Germany).

Greece: Otto Rehhagel (Germany).

Australia: Pim Verbeek (Netherlands).

South Africa: Juan Carlos Parreira (Brasil).

Cameroon: Paul Le Guen (France).

Cote d’Ivore: Sven Goran Eriksson (Sweden).

Nigeria: Lars Lagerback (Sweden).

Ghana: Milovan Rajevac (Serbia).

Chile: Marcelo Bielsa (Argentina).

Paraguay: Gerardo Martino (Argentina).

England: Fabio Capello (Italy).

Honduras: Reinaldo Rueda (Colombia).

2010 World Cup Facts: International Players

South Africa 2010 is an of event of firsts. It is the first African World Cup and now it will host the first ever World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert. The event is scheduled for June 10th and will feature international and African artists. The concert is being billed as "The greatest entertainment event to date in Africa."

The concert will be held at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg and along with musical performances by international superstars, football legends from the past and present will be there and celebrities from other fields to take part in the festivities.

According to FIFA, the three-hour celebratory extravaganza, will bring together the two universal passions of football and music before a capacity stadium audience of 30,000. The concert will be broadcast to millions more worldwide and is scheduled to begin at 8pm local time (GMT+2) on Thursday, June 10. The day before the opening match between South Africa and México.

FIFA selected Emmy Award-winning producer Kevin Wall and his company Control Room to organize and produce the event. Control Room has put together some massive events, such as Live Earth 2007, which featured 150 artists performing on seven continents over the course of 24 hours to raise awareness of climate change.

“We believe sports and music transcend cultural, language and geographic barriers, and through the official FIFA World Cup Kick–off Celebration Concert, Control Room will present the sights and sounds of unity and celebration for an unforgettable, must-see experience,” said Wall.

All net proceeds from the concert will be donated to “20 Centers for 2010”, the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, which aims to build 20 centers across Africa offering education and health care services as well as football training to disadvantaged communities.

Visit the FIFA Official Site to get more details about the event.

Inaugural World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert

With the 2010 FIFA World Cup less than 4 months away, its time to breakdown the 32 teams that will be participating in The Great Tournament. First up is the host nation, South Africa.


Official Name: South African Football Association

Nickname: Bafana Bafana

FIFA Confederation: CAF (Africa)

FIFA Code: RSA

How They Qualified: Host Nation

World Cup Appearances (Incuding 2010): 3rd

Best WC Finish: Korea/Japan 2002, 1 Win - eliminated Group Stage

World Cup Record (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 6: 1W - 2D - 3L

Head Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira

Most Capped Player (# of caps): Aaron Mokoena (99)

All-Time Goal Scoring Leader (# of goals): Benni McCarthy (35)

Brief Footballing History:
South Africa wass one of the founding members of the Confederation of African Football in 1956. However due to the racist & segregated political policies of apartheid, South Africa was formally expelled from the CAF in 1958 and suspended from FIFA in 1961 and expelled in 1976. With the fall of apartheid, South Africa was readmitted to the CAF & FIFA in 1991.

5 years later, Bafana Bafana won its biggest title to date, when it lifted the '96 African Cup of Nations trophy on home soil. 2 years later, the South Africans qualified for their 1st World Cup. Their first WC campaign ended with two tough draws against Denmark & Saudi Arabia and a loss to host nation and champion France in 1998.

Player To Watch:
The two most well known South African players are Benni McCarthy and Steven Pienaar both of whom play in England's Premier League. However, it is a player in South Africa's Premier Soccer League that could be the key to South Africa's fortunes in the World Cup.


Teko Modise is a left-sided attacking winger for South African PSL side, Orlando Pirates. Modise is the 2-time defending PSL Footballer of the Year and has been quietly linked with European clubs like AC & Inter Milan, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Birmingham City. The 27-year old Soweto native will have to be on top form to boost a South African attack that has been shutout in 4 of their last 5 friendly matches.

Outlook:
In any other year South Africa would be a lock to be knocked out of the group stage especially with a group consisting of Mexico, Uruguay, and France. However, the home nation advantage is a massive equalizer. Most football pundits see South Africa as the 1st host nation in tournament history to be eliminated at the group stage but it would not be a shock if they advance.

Despite their footballing reputations Mexico, Uruguay, and France are not strong as evidenced by their shaky qualifying campaigns. With a previous WC winning coach like Parreira in charge the Bafana Bafana can pull off a surprise or two.

Final 23-Man WC Roster:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)

Defenders: Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Bongani Khumalo (Supersport United), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Anele Ngcongca (K.R.C. Genk).

Midfielders: Steven Pienaar (Everton FC), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns).

Forwards: Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bernard Parker (FC Twente), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows).

WC Group Schedule:
June 11 vs. Mexico (Opening Match)
June 16 vs. Uruguay
June 22 vs. France

The next team preview of Group A sides is Mexico.

South Africa - WC Team Breakdown

We are less than 300 days away from the greatest event on the planet. For one month South Africa will be at the epicenter of the sporting universe and Mad About Fútbol will be looking in that same direction.

Check out the 2010 NCP Conference Blog for the latest goings-on in South Africa leading up to the Big Dance. We will try to have guests on the Mad About Fútbol Show that willl keep us up to date.

Get The Latest South Africa News

The exciting 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup is unfortunately over as the final matchday witnessed 2 dramatic matches with identical scorelines that justify football's place as "The Beautiful Game." The 3rd place game was a Thriller.

La Furia Roja and Bafana Bafana played an extra time affair whose drama started in the 2nd half with some fire from a couple of subs. Neither team could establish their advantage until the 73rd minute when South African substitute Katlego Mphela scored from a Siphiwe Tshabalala centering pass to give South Africa the 1-0 lead.


Spain's own super sub Daniel Güiza came on for Fernando Torres and scored a pair of goals a minute apart in the 87th & 88th minute. Güiza's 2nd goal was a GOLAZO as the Turkish based striker buried a well-placed looping shot over South African keeper Itumeleng Khune.


The crowd in Rustenburg were headed for the exits when Mphela blasted a marvelous free kick 3 minutes into injury time as the GOLAZO sent the 3rd place match to extra time and breathed hope into the home side.


The match was eventually decided early in the 2nd extra time period when Xabi Alonso's bending free kick bounced past Khune into the back of the net. Spain held on to claim 3rd place in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup with a 3-2 win. South Africa's performances against Spain & Brazil were excellent and gave South Africans justified hope for a memorable showing in 2010.

3rd Place Match Appetizes Confed Cup Final

Ladies and gentlemen, the final for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup trophy is set. One of the teams was expected, the other team supposedly didn't have a chance. It will be Brazil vs. United States. The Brazilians made the final after defeating South Africa 1-0 in Johannesburg.

South Africa played well and kept the Brazilians from establishing their offensive rhythm. At times, Bafana Bafana looked the better side and were certainly not intimidated by Seleção. South Africa almost stunned the Copa América champs with their best opportunity coming in the 21st minute when South African captain Aaron Mokoena got on the end of a free kick and sailed his header attempt over the crossbar.


Brazil was kept in check by an athletic, tight marking South African defense and midfield as Inter Milan right-back Maicon said, "They played 100 percent perfect tactically. We had to stay patient until the end and it paid off." Brazil had to wait till the 88th minute for it to pay off when 2nd half substitute Dani Alves buried a free kick goal from just outside the box beating South African keeper Itumeleng Khune for the game winner.


Dani Alves, a natural right back, came on for left back Andre Santos and created a moment of Brazilian magic. The Barcelona star played out of position but his desire to see Brazil win trumped any personal difficulties. The hosts played aggressively and were not afraid of Brazil, they didn't play 11 men in the box for 90+ minutes and attacked the Brazilian defense frequently. The 1-0 loss was noble performance by South Africa, a goal practically at the death was heartbreaking but the South Africans should not hold their heads down. Bafana Bafana have a 3rd place match versus a suddenly vulnerable Spain side.

Brazil will now face the US in Sunday's final. The Brazilians are looking to win their record 3rd Confederations Cup trophy while the United States will try to become the 2nd CONCACAF team to hoist the trophy. Mexico was the 1st when they won defeated Brazil 4-3 in the 1999 tournament.

Confed Cup Final Is Set

We here at Mad About Fútbol are excited about the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup as the host nation of South Africa prepares for the 2010 World Cup. The Confederations Cup serves as a small test run for the The Great Tournament and at Mad About Fútbol were going to preview all 8 teams in the tournament.

Let's breakdown about the hosts:

SOUTH AFRICA

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION NAME:
South African Football Association

FIFA COUNTRY CODE:
RSA

TEAM NICKNAME:
Bafana Bafana

HOW THEY QUALIFIED:
Host Nation of 2010 World Cup

CONFEDERATIONS CUP HISTORY:
2009 - 2nd Appearance
Eliminated in Round 1 of 1997 tournament

COACH:
Joel Santana (BRA)

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Even though all-time leading goal scorer Benni McCarthy is not the roster and Everton playmaker Steven Pienaar is on the roster, look for Orlando Pirates' attacking midfielder Teko Modise.

The 26-year old has been linked with a move to the English Premiership with Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic rumored to be interested. Modise won the 08-09 South African Premier Soccer League Footballer of the Year and Players' Player of the Year in leading Orlando Pirates to a 2nd place finish in South Africa's top club league.

SOUTH AFRICA OVERVIEW:
South Africa should be confident going into the Confederations Cup having won 5 of their last 6 friendlies. The Bafana Bafana is in Group A with Spain, Iraq, and New Zealand and look to give their fans some excitement in preview of what to expect in 2010. Joel Santana's squad has a good mix of youth and experience with all-time caps leader captain Aaron Mokoena providing leadership. On paper, South Africa should finish 2nd in the group as they will be boosted by the home field advantage.

CONFEDERATIONS CUP SCHEDULE:
Group A = June 14 vs. Iraq, June 17 vs. New Zealand, June 20 vs. Spain

ROSTER - JERSEY NUMBER LISTED NEXT TO NAME:
Goalkeepers (3):
1-Rowen Fernández (Arminia Bielefeld, GER), 16-Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), 22-Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders (8):
2-Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), 3-Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, ISR), 4-(C) Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers, ENG), 14-Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), 15-Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates), 19-Bryce Moon (Panathinaikos, GRE), 20-Bongani Khumalo (Supersport United), 23-Morgan Gould (Supersport United)

Midfielders (8):
5-Benson Mhlongo (Orlando Pirates), 6-MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, RUS), 7-Lance Davids (Supersport United), 8-Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), 10-Steven Pienaar (Everton, ENG), 11-Elrio van Heerden (Club Brugge, BEL), 12-Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), 13-Kagiso Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows)

Forwards (4):
9-Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), 17-Bernard Parker (Red Star Belgrade, SRB), 18-Thembinkosi Fanteni (Maccabi Haifa, ISR), 21-Katlego Mashego (Orlando Pirates)

The next nation we will breakdown on Mad About Fútbol's Confederations Cup Preview is Iraq. So keep logging on to Mad About Fútbol to get the info you need for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Confed Cup Preview - South Africa

The 1st test for South Africa and its preparations for the 2010 World Cup will be the 2009 Confederations Cup. The main focus will be the readiness of the stadiums and for the short tournament in June, 4 stadiums have been chosen to host Confederations Cup matches.

Loftus Versfeld Stadium - Tshwane/Pretoria

The stadium was named in 1932 after Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld who was the founder of organized sports in Pretoria. The site for the stadium was 1st used in 1906 and has been used for numerous sports events including the 1995 Rugby World Cup and 1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. It is home stadium for the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club of the South African Premier League. After upgrades it will have a capacity of around 52,000.

Ellis Park - Johannesburg

Opened in 1928, Ellis Park is located in South Africa's largest city and was named after J.D. Ellis, a Johannesburg city counselor who got the land for the stadium to be built. It was originally built for rugby union matches and witnessed the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in which the South Africa's Springboks defeated New Zealand's All Blacks 15-12. The stadium is also known as Coca-Cola Park and became the 1st black owned stadium in South Africa and is the home to the Orlando Pirates Football Club of the South African Premier League. After upgrades, the stadium capacity will reach 65,000.

Free State Stadium - Mangaung/Bloemfontein

Free State Stadium also known as Vodacom Park is the southernmost of the stadiums hosting the Confederations Cup. It is located in Maugaung aka Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State province. The stadium hosted Africa Cup of Nations matches in 1996 and Rugby World Cup matches in 1995. It is the home stadium of the South African Premier League team, Bloemfontein Celtic. The capacity of the stadium after renovations will be around 48,000.

Royal Bafokeng Stadium - Rustenburg

The Royal Bafokeng Stadium was originally built as a rugby stadium and is named after the people native to the area. The Bafokeng people have grown rich via platinum mining in the area. In 1999, the Bafokeng won a legal settlement that gave them a 22 percent royalty on all platinum taken from their cultural land and because of this money, the stadium has been kept in excellent condition as only minor renovations will be needed. The stadium is only a 25 minute drive from the controversial Sun City resort and after the renovations & upgrades the stadium will have a capacity of about 42,000.

In June, the champions of FIFA's confederations along with the host nation, South Africa and world champion, Italy will entertain us with some great football and confirm to the world that football is the beautiful game. More importantly, the 2009 Confederations Cup will give us a hint into South Africa's preparations for The Great Tournament.

Stadiums For FIFA Confederation Cup Finalized