South African Actress, Charlize Theron today hosted the 2010 World Cup final draws at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).  The 32 teams participating at next year’s FIFA World Cup™ finals discovered their fate at the event.

Although the dates and locations of each of the 48 matches are known for the group-stage games, the kick-off times will be announced shortly, upon conclusion of a meeting between FIFA, the Local Organising Committee and broadcasters.

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana,
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

FIFA Reported a recap of the event on their website.

A night to remember
With such an array of stars, the event dazzled from start to finish. After a welcome from Lions Head, the mountain which provides Cape Town with such a dramatic backdrop, award-winning musician Johnny Clegg then performed ‘Scatterlings of Africa’, a song made famous by the Academy Award-winning film Rain Main.

Fittingly, the first speech of the evening came from the man without whom a FIFA World Cup in South Africa would never have been possible, namely the country’s former president Nelson Mandela. The 91-year-old, speaking in a special video message, urged his country to make the most of the opportunity of being the host country. “We must strive for excellence in our hosting of the World Cup, while at the same time ensuring that the event leaves a lasting benefit to all our people,” he said.

It was then time for two special presidents to take to the stage. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and South African President Jacob Zuma showed their excitement at the Final Draw and the 2010 FIFA World Cup itself in an entertaining dialogue which lasted for several minutes. Giancarlo Abete, the President of the Italian Football Federation, then handed over the FIFA World Cup Trophy to Mr Blatter, confirmation that the sport’s holy grail is in South Africa and ready to be contested next year.

Portuguese legend Eusebio, born in neighbouring Mozambique, was introduced to the crowd before examples of the ‘Win In Africa With Africa’ campaign were highlighted to the expectant audience. Beninese singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo then took to the stage to perform her Grammy-nominated song ‘Agolo’.

The first duty of the show’s guest presenter, Academy Award-winning actress, Hollywood producer and proud South African Charlize Theron, was to show off the official 2010 Match Ball, adidas’s Jabulani, a name which means ‘to celebrate’ in Zulu. Soweto’s Gospel Choir, continued the theme of happiness with a lively rendition of Pata Pata before the arrival of Draw Master and FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, signalled that it was time for the moment of truth.

Some of the assembled coaches will have headed away feeling confident, others concerned by the task presented them here, yet at least all now know what lies in store as they begin their planning and preparation for next year’s event.

FIFA 2010 Final Draws (10)

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Charlize Theron hosts the FIFA World Cup 2010 Draw

Reuters reported yesterday that Chelsea striker Didier Drogba teamed up with U2 frontman Bono to launch an initiative to fight HIV and Aids. On the eve of World Aids Day, sports manufacturer Nike announced a partnership with the “Red” brand and the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria which is designed to coincide with the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. “It was important to me to be involved in the Red campaign because I’m from Africa,” the Chelsea Striker said to a London news conference, “It’s a big honour and pleasure for me to be linked with Bono and try to help him save some lives. Aids and HIV is something that really destroyed Africa, and people don’t really realise how easy it is to save lives – only two pills a day, which is 40 cents.”

Drogba scored twice as Premier League leaders Chelsea beat London rivals Arsenal 3-0 on Sunday and put his goals down to the red laces he was wearing for the game.

“I think the red laces really helped me, especially for the free kick. I was really proud to have a chance to show the laces and after the game people were calling me: ‘Why were you wearing red laces?’ and I had to explain to them.”

The laces will be available around the world from December 1 which is World AIDS Day.