Spectacular opening for soccer World Cup
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa got underway with a spectacular and vibrant opening ceremony at the 94,000 capacity Soccer City in Johannesburg.
The ceremony was followed by the first game of the tournament between the hosts and Mexico, which ended in a 1 all draw.
South Africa is staging the World Cup for the first time, with 32 nations competing in 64 games until the final on 11 July.
Nelson Mandela was due to attend the opening ceremony but withdrew following the death of his great granddaughter.
Zenani Mandela, 13, died in a car crash when travelling home from the pre World Cup concert in Johannesburg on Thursday.
This report from the BBC:
The Nelson Mandela Foundation released a statement saying it would be "inappropriate" for Mandela, a former South African president, to be at the opening ceremony.
The Foundation stated that they are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy.
The 40 minute ceremony began with a five plane military fly-past over the stadium, which resembled a huge African cooking pot
A group of drummers and dancers performed a 'Welcome to Africa' song that included an introduction to all 10 tournament's venues.
The next sequence saw a gigantic beetle showing off its football skills with the Jabulani the official football of the finals before large pieces of cloth were used to show a map of the continent.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu and president Jacob Zuma were in attendance, along with the likes of United Nations secretary general Ban Ki moon, Mexican president Felipe Calderon, Prince Albert of Monaco and United States vice president Joe Biden.
The global TV audience for the tournament will be made up of viewers in more than 215 countries and will run into hundreds of millions.
In the first game that was held this morning, South Africa held Mexico to a 1-all draw.
In the game that is currently underway Uruguay and France are tied at nil-all as the second half resumes.
The last game of the day is at 11:30pm where Korea meets Greece.
Related Stories
Unity through rugby: Sukuna challenge shifted to the north
Ratu Wiliame Katonivere says rugby, especially the Sukuna Bowl brings unity to all Fijians as the historic clash heads to the north for the first time. Ratu Wiliame says the decision to move the Ratu Sukuna Rugby
Suva fall short against Mataks in OFC Futsal Championship
Suva Futsal Club put up a determined performance in their OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League 2025 match, but were defeated 5-1 by a strong Mataks FC side from the Solomon Islands. The loss means Suva’s chances o
Ruben Love to start for All Blacks as Robertson rotates team for Wales
Scott Robertson has put his trust in Damian McKenzie at first five-eiqhth after electing to make 13 positional changes to his run-on team for the All Blacks' final test of the vear against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday mor
Botitu and Maqala in the midfield with Nasova on the wing
Major changes have been made to the FIJI Water Flying Fijians side to take on Spain on Sunday as Vilimoni Botitu and Sireli Maqala will start in the midfield with Joji Nasova on the wing. Head coach Mick Byrne has
New Zealand's Waikato Rapids through to OFC Futsal final after beating defending champions New Caledonia
New Zealand's Waikato Rapids have booked their spot in the OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League final, beating defending champions New Caledonia's AS PTT 5–2 at the Vodafone Arena in Suva. The Rapids made a fast s
Tanoa Hotel renews partnership with Fijian Drua
Tanoa Hotels has renewed its partnership with the Fijian Drua, securing Tanoa Hotels’ position as the Official Hotel and Home of the Fijian Drua for an additional three years. The Drua says the renewed agreement