November 19 – South African organisers of the 2010 World Cup today held a symbolic flag-raising ceremony at its headquarters in Johannesburg after Uruguay by the 32nd nation to qualify for next year’s tournament, meaning the line-up of nations is now complete.
The Ambassadors and Embassy representatives of the 32 countries raised their flags outside SAFA House, metres from the Soccer City stadium at which the tournament’s opening match and final will be played on June 11, 2010, and July 11, 2010.
Danny Jordaan, the event’s chief executive, said: ”We congratulate all the teams that have now qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“For us this is a very emotional day.
“After all the years of hard work that have gone into preparing for this momentous event, it is now a tangible reality.
“The finalisation of the 32 participating countries is a major milestone and we would like to warmly welcome all of them to Africa’s first World Cup.
“Our country and our continent cannot wait to receive the players and their multitudes of fans who will descend on South Africa next year for what is sure to be an unforgettable event.
“All the major countries in world football have qualified for the tournament, as well as a number of countries that are very capable of causing major upsets.
“We’re particularly delighted that the giants of African football, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Algeria, join hosts South Africa in what is a formidable line-up of African participants.
“Now it is no longer a case of asking whether the stadiums will be ready.
“They are and they will be beautiful cathedrals which will host the best footballers in the world.
“Now, it is about preparing to celebrate the coming together of six continents, 32 teams and billions of people around the world in a celebration of football in South Africa next year.
“Today marks the day where we begin that celebration.”
The final six places for the 2010 spectacular were decided last night in matches in Europe, Africa and South America.
The final line-up of the countries who have qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is: Nigeria, Cameroon, New Zealand, Japan, Netherlands, Korea Republic, Korea DPR, Australia, USA, Brazil, Ghana, England, Paraguay, Spain, Denmark, Cote d’Ivoire, Chile, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Serbia, Switzerland, Argentina, Honduras, Slovakia, Algeria, Portugal, France, Slovenia, Greece, Uruguay and hosts South Africa.