Wembley has often amazed foreign visitors despite the drama of having it rebuilt. Now, we have more in the way of amazing stadiums with South Africa building four new stadiums specifically for the World Cup 2010 tournament. When it comes to modern design, these are all class.

The biggest concern that European nations held when South Africa’s bid to host the World Cup 2010 was confirmed was their ability to provide stadiums fit for world class football. Despite problems, they have managed to achieve the feat. Not only have they built four new stadiums, they have fully upgraded five more for a total of nine world class international football stadiums.

The World Cup 2010 will be played at:

• Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg
• Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
• Moses Mobidha Stadium, Durban
• Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
• Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
• N. Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
• Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
• Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
• Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

Taking the football to the people has been important for South Africa so including stadiums in outer areas such as Nelspruit and Polokwane is a smart move. It also gives international tourists the opportunity to see South African life outside the major centers.

Some of these stadiums, like Ellis Park Stadium, are well known to other sports such as rugby and cricket. They too have had major work done to bring them up to World Cup 2010 standards. In the long run, all sports in South Africa will benefit from these new stadiums.

There are only 18 days left until kick off and the betting on the World Cup 2010 is intensifying. Latest betting shows that England are in to 6/1 with 11/2 being offered by some bookmakers. Spain have firmed to 4/1 while Argentina, brushed off by many, are in to 8/1. Brazil remain rock solid at 5/1.

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