ABSTRACT
In 2010, South Africa will host international soccer’s World Cup – the first time the event will take place on the African continent. Since FIFA made the announcement in 2004, attention has again turned to a nation that has made intermittent appearances in the international spotlight for reasons ranging from the struggle against apartheid to a more recent focus on its high crime rate and high rates of HIV/AIDS. This time the attention is mostly positive, suggesting a new chapter in the country’s history, though concern remains over the government’s ability to complete necessary preparations, particularly as regards the urban centers where most matches will take place and where most foreign visitors will spend their time.
