→ The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th, the world championship for teams. It took place in from 11 June to 11 July 2010. The for hosting the tournament finals was open only to African nations. In 2004, the international football federation,, selected South Africa over Egypt and Morocco to become the first African nation to host the finals. The matches were played in in nine host cities around the country, with the opening and final played at the stadium in South Africa's largest city,. Thirty-two teams were selected for participation via a that began in August 2007. In the of the tournament finals, the teams competed in groups of four teams for points, with the top two teams in each group proceeding.