On 11 th of June, 2010, the World Cup took place in South Africa. Let’s recollect one of the greatest football event on Earth…

A is for Africa This was the first time the World Cup was hosted by an African nation. The tournament created 129,000 new jobs and boosted (=increased) the South African economy by over two billion Euro.

B is for Ball The official ball used in the 2010 World Cup is called the ‘jabulani’. This means ‘to celebrate’ in the African language isiZulu.

C is for Captain…and controversy The England team was rocked that year when newspapers revealed that the England captain John Terry had been having a secret affair with another England player’s ex-girlfriend.

D is for David Beckham Forget the fashion and the famous wife, football is David’s first love and is what he’s best at. That was David’s fourth World Cup, but despite his age, it may not be his last. “2014? Maybe!” he says. “I want to carry on (=continue) playing!”

E is for England For English people, 1966 means one thing – the year they won the World Cup. “I have never seen the English so emotional before or since,” remembers Peter Shephard who was 17 at the time.

F is for Fans 350,000 fans were expected to travel to South Africa for the tournament to support their teams in summer 2010, but there were many more watching at home – 30 billion people in 240 countries tuned in! 350,000 fans were expected to travel to South Africa for the tournament to support their teams in summer 2010, but there were many more watching at home – 30 billion people in 240 countries tuned in!

G is for Golden Boot The ‘Golden Boot’ is an award given to the player who scores the most goals in the tournament.

H is for hairstyles Some football players are more famous for their hair than their footballing flair(=talent). Some football players are more famous for their hair than their footballing flair(=talent). In 1998, the Romanian team dyed their hair yellow. David Beckham made headlines with his Mohawk in 2002 when hundreds of English boys copied him (and got in trouble for wearing the style to school!) but our favourite is Carlos Valderrama, the Columbian player – what a mane! In 1998, the Romanian team dyed their hair yellow. David Beckham made headlines with his Mohawk in 2002 when hundreds of English boys copied him (and got in trouble for wearing the style to school!) but our favourite is Carlos Valderrama, the Columbian player – what a mane!

I is for Injury time A referee can add on injury (or ‘stoppage’) time to a match if the game has been delayed by accidents.

M is for Maradona The Argentinian player is one of the all-time World Cup greats. He is best known for his spectacular skill in the 1986 World Cup. The Argentinian player is one of the all-time World Cup greats. He is best known for his spectacular skill in the 1986 World Cup.

N is for Nil In football scores, if there are no goals, use ‘nil’, not zero. For example 0-0 is nil- nil and 1-0 is one-nil.

P is for Penalty A penalty kick is taken eleven meters in front of the goal. If there is no winner after extra- time, the game goes to penalties. England have crashed out of the tournament on penalties three times!

R is for Referee Being a referee is a hard job. No matter how fit or fair you try to be, most fans will hate you. Being a referee is a hard job. No matter how fit or fair you try to be, most fans will hate you. But Pierluigi Collina, the former Italian international referee is one of the exceptions. Respected from Germany to Japan, he has been named the “Best referee of all time”. But Pierluigi Collina, the former Italian international referee is one of the exceptions. Respected from Germany to Japan, he has been named the “Best referee of all time”. But Collina is not a big football fan himself. “I always prefer basketball,” he says. But Collina is not a big football fan himself. “I always prefer basketball,” he says.

S is for Soccer City Stadium This is the stadium in Johannesburg where the final was played on the 11th of July, It holds 94, 000 people. It is designed to resemble an African pot.

T is for Trophy The World Cup is the most recognisable and iconic trophy in the world. It’s made from five kilograms of solid gold.

W is for WAG WAG stands for Wives and Girlfriends and is the collective noun for football players’ loved ones. WAG stands for Wives and Girlfriends and is the collective noun for football players’ loved ones. In 2006, World Cup in Germany the WAGs were criticised for distracting the England players and for thousands of pounds they splurged(=spent) on bags, shoes and sunglasses in the shops. In 2006, World Cup in Germany the WAGs were criticised for distracting the England players and for thousands of pounds they splurged(=spent) on bags, shoes and sunglasses in the shops.

Y is for Yellow Card A yellow card is a caution, but a red card means one thing: the player is sent off the pitch! Zinedine Zidane (France) and Cafu (Brazil) have received the most yellow and red cards in their World Cup careers. And the dirtiest team? Well, it’s also one of the most talented: Argentina.

Z is for Zakumi Zakumi is the name of the official mascot of the 2010 World Cup – it’s a green and yellow leopard.