MAR WINDOW

There is no mistaking the main topic of discussion in the latest issue of FIFA World as our special June/July double issue concentrates solely on the global footballing extravaganza that is the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The bumper-sized edition takes an in-depth look at all of the 32 teams who have qualified for the South African showdown as well as the star players who could make the difference between an early flight home or glory in the tournament final in Johannesburg on 11 July. We also go beyond the top players and likely line-ups to examine some of the wider social stories involving the participating teams. Find out, for example, why Dutch fans will feel at home in South Africa, the power that football has over the peoples of Honduras and Uruguay, and which of the rival group-stage coaches are regular five-a-side buddies.

As well as looking forward, we are of course happy to also look back, with a summary of all 18 previous FIFA World Cup™ tournaments and a collection of 80 World Cup facts and anecdotes – representing one fact for every year since the competition began in 1930, and ranging from the glorious to the bizarre. And for those who do not know their Elephants from their Desert Foxes, we also offer a light-hearted explanation of the national team nicknames that will abound during the latest instalment of football’s most prestigious tournament.

Of course, and as always with FIFA World, we are not only focused on the purely sporting side of the proceedings. Inside the latest issue, you can also read about the tournament’s fascinating hosts, as South Africa completes its impressive transformation from former international outcast under the old apartheid regime to the multicultural “Rainbow Nation” which is now opening its arms to the world’s football fans. We explain too how the 2010 FIFA World Cup is offering a chance for the footballing world to give something back to Africa, with social development projects such as the Football for Hope Festival and 20 Centres for 2010 combining with football development programmes such as Win in Africa with Africa to ensure lasting improvements for the whole of Africa, and long beyond 2010.

By clicking on the links below you can read an online version of the magazine or download it. You will also find links and documents on the right-hand side providing further information on the stories featured in the magazine, an archive section below allowing you to access back issues of the magazine, along with details on how to subscribe to the magazine’s printed version.

As always, we are keen to hear what you think about the magazine, so please send us your comments via the feedback link.

Whether you are browsing through the pages during the nervous build-up to the tournament, or flicking through the articles during a break in the action, we wish you a happy read – and of course a highly enjoyable 2010 FIFA World Cup!