In the first two weeks of June, hundreds of thousands of football fans will be pouring into South Africa for the FIFA World Cup. Preparations are going well. Sepp Blatter, FIFA president, has blastered doomsayers. The South Africa World Cup, he says, is going to be a totally successful event. And it is easy to believe him. For sport loving fans this is good news.

The opening match will be between the host country and Mexico, in Johannesburg. The first group of 16 countries will play each other. After which those with the highest points in each group will qualify for the next stage called quarter finals. The semi finals are the next stage of eight countries and then there will be third place match. The last stage is the finals and the celebration of the big event. There will be a gift of bronze medal for third place, silver medal for second position and gold medal for the champions who will go home with the cup. Thirty referees from 28 countries will be officiating in the tournament.

Four years ago, the fiesta was held in Germany and in the next four years Brazil will host the World Cup. There are groups of A - H and they are made up of four countries. Thirty-two teams have qualified and will be playing in various stadiums across the country. So it's a great chance to see some fine football - and some fabulous places. This is the 19th FIFA World Cup. The first games kick off on 11 June, 2010, and the final will be played on 11 July.

So who will win? Italy is the defending champion and they have won the title four times already. Their last win was with a thrilling performance. At full time, the game was goalless. Then Italy scored in extra time. This year, the bookmakers are favouring Spain. England's former captain John Terry has been quoted as saying that England and Italy will meet in the finals - though this was before Ashley Cole dropped out of the team with an ankle injury.

And then there are the outsiders - footballing Davids hoping to murder, literally speaking, the world's footballing Goliaths. Ghana will be the fancied side in South Africa 2010. Cameroon has made it to FIFA World Cup five times. The indomitable Lions of Cameroon is the favourite team in group E. Well, good luck to them. Their squad features the likes of world-class striker Samuel Eto'e and a host of other talented players, many of whom play for European teams.

The Nigerian Super Eagles team looks like the favourite in their group. It's tough, Kingsley Okahia, a sport analyst, said. "Nigeria is a great team, and the only thing we can do is prepare ourselves well. The Super Eagles have a richly talented and ambitious squad featuring players like John Obi Mikel, Kanu Nwankwo and others." He said they have gone through some rocky times, but seem to be on the right track now, with a good balance of youth and experience.

Other great players to watch are Didier Drogba the star of Ivory Coast, Brazilian star player Kaka, Wayne Rooney of England, El-Armine Erbate of Morocco and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal. Ronaldo has said the FIFA World Cup in South Africa is going to be amazing. He says, "I have never been to South Africa, and I am really looking forward to the World Cup. All players are especially motivated for this tournament and I think it will be fantastic. There is no doubt - it will be an incredible championship."

The games will be played in 10 stadiums. They include Ellis Park Stadium, at the centre of bustling Johannesburg. Built in 1982, it has a long and distinguished history in sport. Durban Stadium is brand new, a glorious space spanned by two arches that soar above the roof. Also in Durban is the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, set on the shores of North End Lake is the first dedicated football stadium in the city. Green Point Stadium in Cape Town is one of the most exciting football venues in South Africa.

But, what about the party? There is more than football to see in South Africa. According to a study done by FIFA, eleven million tourists travel every year to South Africa in search of sun, fun and scenery. And with the football there is an added advantage.

The Mangaung/Bloemfontein has open spaces which reflect the openness of its people - friendly and warm. Durban is noted for its "Golden Mile" - a four kilometre stretch of beaches and restaurants, and holds pride of place culturally. And Cape Town, at the foot of iconic Table Mountain, is a cosmopolitan city in beautiful natural surroundings.

Other places worth thinking of seeing are Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth city, with its 40 kilometre stretch of immaculate beaches in a protected bay. Johannesburg is the financial juggernaut of the African continent. Pulsating with energy and drive, Johannesburg is a hub of culture and excitement. Rustenburg is another place to be, the city is brimming with natural beauty at the foot of the Magalieburg Mountains. Hyacinth Ogu, a Nigeriian businessman and sports fan, loves Johannesburg. "The World Cup is a great excuse to travel and explore the culture and architecture of Africa. But Johannesburg is famous for its crime as well as its energy - so be careful!"

Mrs. Amaechi, an International Journalism student at Cardiff University, wrote in from Wales.