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FIFA World Cup Final, Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa: Andrés Iniesta scores an extra-time winner as Spain beats

FIFA World Cup Final, Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa: Andrés Iniesta scores an extra-time winner as Spain beats the Netherlands, 1-0 for first World Cup title

The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010. The bidding process for hosting the tournament finals was open only to African nations. In 2004, the international football federation, FIFA, selected South Africa over Egypt and Morocco to become the first African nation to host the finals.

The matches were played in 10 stadiums in nine host cities around the country, with the opening and final played at the Soccer City stadium in South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg. Thirty-two teams were selected for participation via a worldwide qualification tournament that began in August 2007.

Historical Significance

The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national football teams.

Events Before

  1. 67 people die and 222 are injured in a nightclub fire at Santika Club in Bangkok, Thailand

    A fireworks accident and nightclub fire occurred on 1 January 2009 in the Santika Club in Ekkamai, Watthana, Bangkok, where New Year celebrations were taking place.

  2. Cristiano Ronaldo is awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year for the first time at a ceremony in Zürich

    Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, nicknamed CR7, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team.

  3. Chesley Sullenberger lands US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in NY

    Chesley Sullenberger lands US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in NYC. All passengers and crew survive in what becomes known as the "Miracle on the Hudson."

  4. Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the

    Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office. Joe Biden becomes the 47th Vice President.

  5. International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes ag

    International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, becoming the first sitting head of state to be indicted

Events After

  1. Tunisian President Ben Ali flees to Saudi Arabia after popular protests known as the Jasmine Revolution

    The Tunisian revolution, also called the Jasmine Revolution and Tunisian Revolution of Dignity, was an intensive 28-day campaign of civil resistance.

  2. Actress Jaime Pressly (35) divorces entertainment lawyer Simran Singh (33) due to irreconcilable differences after more

    Actress Jaime Pressly (35) divorces entertainment lawyer Simran Singh (33) due to irreconcilable differences after more than 1 year of marriage

  3. "21" second studio album by Adele is released (Grammy Award for Album of the Year 2012, Brit Award for British Album of

    "21" second studio album by Adele is released (Grammy Award for Album of the Year 2012, Brit Award for British Album of the Year, 2011 Billboard Album of the Year)

  4. Egyptian Revolution of 2011 begins with a series of street demonstrations, rallies, acts of civil disobedience, labor st

    Egyptian Revolution of 2011 begins with a series of street demonstrations, rallies, acts of civil disobedience, labor strikes and violent clashes in Cairo, Alexandria and other major cities

  5. "Desperate Housewives" actress Eva Longoria (36) divorces NBA player Tony Parker (29) due to irreconcilable differences

    "Desperate Housewives" actress Eva Longoria (36) divorces NBA player Tony Parker (29) due to irreconcilable differences 3 years after a storybook wedding

More from the 2010s

New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cov

New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cover from the waist to knee, and women's from shoulder to knee; fabric must be a "textile" or woven material

10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola

10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola

Dutchman Michael van Gerwen wins his first PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Peter Wright of Scotland 7-4; it is t

Dutchman Michael van Gerwen wins his first PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Peter Wright of Scotland 7-4; it is the first time no Englishman has been in the final

Lithuania adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the Litas and becoming the 19th member of the Eurozone

Lithuania adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the Litas and becoming the 19th member of the Eurozone

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 11, 2010?
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010. The bidding process for hosting the tournament finals was open only to African nations.
Why is FIFA World Cup Final, Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa: Andrés Iniesta... significant?
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national football teams.

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July 11 in HistoryYear 2010