The 2010 FIFA World Cup - Cool Stadiums

The whole world can't wait for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to begin. After much deliberation, bidding and voting, South Africa came out as the location for the 2010 World Cup. A lot is in stall on the soccer wall calendar 2010 with the first teams to compete being the host city-South Africa and Mexico.Many speculate that it would be possible for the final world cup winners football game to have an African country involved but this is yet to be seen.

For those who won't have the privilege of following the tournament, you might be wondering on what kind of stadiums the football all stars will be performing their soccer tricks. Well South Africa really took to heart their being the 2010 hosts and over the years constructed five totally new stunning stadiums.Here's a peek for all you 'soccerholics':

* Moses Mabhida Stadium- constructed on the site of the former Kings Park Soccer Stadium, this teflon-coated, glass-fibre roofed stadium was officially opened on November 2009.
- Capacity: 70,000
- Location: Durban
- Design: inspired by the South African flag, the legs of the arch on the southern side join to form a single footing on the northern side.

Symbolically, this arch signifies the unity of a once divided country.The highest point bears a height of 347 feet. The roof produces a translucent glow when lit.

* Green Point Stadium- was demolished in 2007 and reconstructed for the FIFA World Cup in 2009. Scheduled to host six first-round matches, one second-round, one quarter-final and one semifinal match.
- Capacity:70,000
- Location: Cape Town
- Design: has a noise-reducing exterior cladding and is situated very near the ocean and has the mountains as a the backdrop. Has a retractable glass roof weighing 4,500-tons.

* Mbombela Stadium- derived from "Mbombela" which is the siSwati word for "many people together in a small space."
- Capacity: 40,000
- Location:Nelspruit
- Design: a very 'wild' looking stadium which gets inspiration from the many surrounding national parks.

The seats are colored black and white alternately in a way that makes them look like zebra stripes and roof structure are giraffe-shaped.

* Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium-named after the the administrative district which the stadium is within, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality and not the former president Nelson Mandela. Specially built for 2010 FIFA World Cup and will host five first-round matches, one second-round, one quarter-final, and the third-place playoff.
- Capacity: 50 000
- Location:Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth
- Design: resembles a 'sunflower' with the roof made up a series of white petals.Is overlooking the North End Lake making it a one in a million stadium.

* Soccer City Stadium- the main venue for the tournament holding both the opening and final World Cup games.A very historical stadium and also the largest in Africa.
- Capacity:94,500
- Location: Johannesburg
- Design: resembles and African pot or "calabash" and has spectacular lighting in the night.

The 2010 Football World Cup is surely one to go in the history books with all these cool stadiums. Doesn't it just makes you want to book the next flight straight to the heart of Africa?