In 2010 South Africa hosted the first FIFA World Cup on African soil, a tournament remembered for the vuvuzela, Ghana's heartbreak and Spain's first world title.
Winning the bid
South Africa won the right to host in 2004, after FIFA introduced a rotation policy that guaranteed the 2010 tournament would be held in Africa. Morocco, Egypt and a joint Libya–Tunisia bid also competed. New stadiums were built or rebuilt in cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
The opening match
Hosts South Africa opened the tournament against Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg. Siphiwe Tshabalala's thunderous strike gave Bafana Bafana the lead in a 1–1 draw, one of the most replayed goals in African football.
The hosts' campaign
South Africa beat France 2–1 in their final group match but went out on goal difference, the first host nation to be eliminated in the group stage of a World Cup.
Ghana's run
Ghana carried Africa's hopes into the knock-out stage, beating the United States after extra time to reach the quarter-finals. Against Uruguay, a goal-bound header in the last minute of extra time was stopped on the line by Luis Suárez's hand. Asamoah Gyan hit the crossbar with the resulting penalty, and Uruguay won the shoot-out. Ghana came closer than any African team before them to a World Cup semi-final.
Spain's first title
Spain beat the Netherlands 1–0 after extra time in the final at Soccer City, with Andrés Iniesta scoring the winner.
Legacy
The tournament proved Africa could stage a World Cup and left world-class stadiums, including Soccer City (now FNB Stadium), one of the largest stadiums in Africa. Debate continues about the cost of maintaining some venues. Sixteen years later, Morocco will become the second African host, in 2030; read our explainer.