The FIFA World Cup is the biggest stage in football, where every country is given an opportunity to claim the biggest prize in football and all the glory that goes with it. It is held once every four years, and showcases some of the biggest names in the sport donning the colours of their country in order to be a part of a rich history; a continuing legacy left behind by the greatest of great players in the sport.

The next edition of the competition, FIFA World Cup 2010, will be held in South Africa. It will take place from the 11th of June till the 11th July 2010. This will be a historic event for the host nation; since it is the first time that a nation from the African confederation has hosted this competition.

It would be difficult and cumbersome to host a competition where all members of the Federation Internationale de Football Association get a chance to play on the big stage. Therefore, the governing body of football allows 32 of the best teams from across the world to compete for a chance to lift the trophy that every youngster dreams of.

The World Cup qualifiers take place in order to decide which 32 countries get to take part in the historic event. All the members of FIFA are classified into World Cup qualifying groups depending on the confederation that they belong to, and the teams that perform the best will be awarded a chance to take part in the majestic tournament.

Apart from the revenue that an event of this magnitude generates for the host nation, live soccer on TV produces a very large profit for the TV channels that televise this competition. 715.1 million people across the world watched the last World Cup final, which was contested by France and Italy. The latter won the game on penalties.

The sport has wowed viewers the world over, and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is expected to be the most grandiose of them all till date.

Football Italiano