South African organizers are determined to prove they can, indeed, pull off a global event, despite what the skeptics think. They have promised to curtail crime, provide adequate transportation and lodging, and fill stadiums in nine cities.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Friday, found time for a bit of soccer diplomacy, wishing South Africa a “grand success” as it gears up to host the FIFA World Cup...At a joint press meet with South African President Jacob Zuma, Manmohan Singh said: "In a week from now, South Africa will host the football World Cup. On behalf of the people of India, I have conveyed our best wishes to President Zuma for its grand success."

An interview with Nobels Colloquia winner Simon Anholt on the concept of "nation branding", and the impact the World Cup could have on South Africa...Here he talks to Sean Carey about brands and marketing, the reputations of the UK, London, China, and India, and the impact of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup on South Africa.

Former President Rafael Callejas, who heads the Honduran Soccer Federation, says "nothing unifies the country more than soccer."...Tourism boosters are excited about the possibility of engaging in some positive soccer diplomacy. The team's performance on the world's greatest sporting stage will allow the country to project an image of teamwork and fair play...

For the next month, South Africans everywhere will be asked how they feel about the World Cup coming to their country. Many no doubt will talk about their pride, how they feel that a megaevent will give South Africa a chance to put its best foot forward before the world.

At the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, soccer star David Beckham has submitted England's bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. Several other European potentials hosts submitted bids, as did four Asian nations and the US.

The number of foreign visitors expected to come to South Africa to attend the much anticipated 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup have been slashed by one third. Between 250,000 to 300,000 foreign tourists are expected to come to South Africa to attend the games. This is down from earlier forecasts of 450,000 soccer fans from overseas.

As South Africa prepares to host the FIFA 2010 World Cup, international organizations and local non-governmental organizations are warning the event will bring with it a huge increase in human trafficking. But a recent study indicates that while the problem is severe it may not be as extensive as has been suggested.