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2010 World Cup

FNB Stadium

FNB Stadium (Soweto)

Capacity: 94 700
Budget: R1.56-billion
Architect: Boogertman Urban Edge
Contractor: Grinaker/Interbeton JV
Start building: January 2007
Target LOC/Fifa completion date: October 30, 2009
Scheduled completion date: April 23, 2009

2010 World Cup matches:

Opening match, five first-round matches, one second-round match, one quarterfinal and the Final.

Details and progress:

Everything on track with the major refurbishment. Intended to be the symbol of the World Cup in Africa, hence the giant calabash shell design of the stadium’s new roof.

The City

The South Western Townships (Soweto) is an urban area in the city of Johannesburg that can perhaps be called the spiritual home of South African football.

The suburb has spawned some of the greatest players to have graced our pitches, and is home to two of the biggest clubs in the land, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, as well as Moroka Swallows, a team rich in history.

It also plays host to Safa House and the head offices of the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee, as well as Fifa representatives that are stationed in the country.

Formed largely by migrant workers traveling to Johannesburg to work on the gold mines, the eviction of these workers from other parts of the city by British-controlled local authorities in 1904 meant the township grew at an astonishing rate.

The scene of much of the political upheaval in the fight against apartheid, Soweto will always have a proud place in the history of South Africa, with many great political leaders, including Nelson Mandela, calling the township home at some point in their lives.

+ SANTANA
Meet the Bafana coach
+ BRAZILIAN STAR
'I would play for Bafana'.
+ SUNDOWNS
How Trott changed Downs
+ SOWETO DERBY
Walaza & Khune face-off
+ TSOTETSI
Spotlight on Chiefs star

Forum

TV Times

Home Away Time Channel
S'downs FS Stars May 17 14:30 SS4
Portsmouth Cardiff May 17 14:45 SS3
Celtic SS Utd May 18 14:30 SS3
Swallows Wits May 18 14:30 SS4
Pirates AmaZulu May 18 17:00 SS4

Focus on 2010

Van Heerden sidelined for 8 weeks

Elrio van Heerden is out for eight weeks after undergoing knee surgery. [more]

Santana due to touch down on Sunday

Joel Santana is now set to arrive in South Africa this weekend. [more]

Interactive