2010 Soccer World Cup Preview

It's the year 2010, four years after the last mass gathering of soccer fans, meaning...the FIFA World Cup will be held once again! But this time, at the start of a new decade and for the first time in history, it will be held in an African nation - South Africa!

The kick off match, between South Africa and Mexico, of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is June 11, 2010 at 10:00am Eastern time. The day our Seniors, Class of 2010, graduate. Unfortunately, those Seniors wanting to see the kick off match will not be able to, due to the fact that the graduation ceremony is being held during the match.

According to ESPN's 2010 FIFA World Cup guide, there are six teams that ESPN thinks could win but won't - Brazil, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Germany and Ivory Coast. Critics believe these teams will not win because of aged players, poor managers, tired players, and not enough skill in the defense.

While there are six teams that won't win but could - Netherlands, USA, England, Ghana, France and Portugal. These teams will have a very hard time, and would take almost a miracle to win. ESPN's advice to these six teams: "Dream on, but dream big".

Because the South African Football Association doesn't want the host team - South Africa -to leave the Cup with nothing, has decided to give the South African National Team $131,000 for each of their goals scored during the World Cup as a lot more motivation than the team already has.

Each team ultimately receives some of kind payment for being in the World Cup. Before the Cup starts, each team receives $1 million just for the preparation they went through in order to reach the Cup. The Champions of the World Cup earn $30 million as a prize.

Another first time in FIFA World Cup history, FIFA has made the decision to compensate the clubs who have players representing national teams by paying the clubs an average of $1,516.24 per player, with the total compensation amount being $39,422,431.

Everyone should watch this great event - the beautiful game, the world's game! It is a history making event! Whether you're a Senior graduating during the kick-off match, or just looking for something to do - turn on the TV to ESPN (Channel 206 if you have DirectTV) or to any National Channel, and watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup!