World Cup South Africa

The 2010 World Cup will be the first World Cup that is played in the continent of Africa. The world cup draw for the finals takes place in Cape Town on December 4th, with the finals themselves kicking off on Friday June 11 2010.

Home Continent Advantage

We know from previous World Cup's that the home nation not only seems to have an advantage, but also the teams playing in their own continent have an advantage. When the tournament has been held in Europe it has usually been won by a European country and other European countries have fared very well. When the tournament has been held in a South American country a South American team has always won and South American sides have dominated the latter stages.

Is It The Same For Africa?

We can't say for sure that this will translate to the World Cup in South Africa, especially as African teams have traditionally struggled in World Cups, but it seems likely that we will see a better performance from most African nations as they will be very much used to the conditions.

African Improvement

In the last ten years or so there has been a large improvement in the standard of the African teams, most of their players now play in the best sides, in the best leagues in the world. Even without home continent advantage you would think an African side could at least make it to the semi finals, with home continent advantage it is beginning to looks extremely likely.

South America Should Fare Well

The South American sides are unlikely to be inconvenienced by conditions, only three times in the last ten World Cups has there been a final without a South American side, and each of those three tournaments were held in Europe. All World Cups outside of Europe have been won by sides hailing from South America.

Europeans Should Perform Well As Usual

The European sides are unlikely to find conditions ideal but they are still likely to perform with credit. In the last six World Cups held outside of Europe no European side has ever won the World Cup, but they have always finished as runners up.

What History Tells Us

This means that history tells us the winner will be South American (most likely Brazil or Argentina) and the runner up will be European). An African side might make it to the final with home continent advantage but it is probably more likely that they are looking at semi final places instead.