The biggest sporting event in the world is set to take place next year in South Africa, when 32 teams from around the globe will meet in the 19^th FIFA World Cup tournament. This is the first time the world cup will take place in South Africa, in front of over 3 million soccer fans attending in person or at home watching on tv.

Nine host cities have been chosen with the games to be played in ten different stadiums. Each of the cities offer great accommodation, travel and dining. The easiest way to make for a perfect holiday is to choose a respected agent who can customize world cup packages that includes tickets, travel, accommodations and sightseeing options for one very affordable price. Planning and booking early is the best way to lock in the best rates. Waiting until the tournament is about to begin will mean possibly spending big bucks to see the matches of your choice. So select your travel agent and work with them to create the best possible itinerary. Your options are virtually limitless. You can select one budget friendly World Cup package that includes everything you want and need, or you can customize a package that is basically a la carte and very flexible with a lot of wiggle room for impulse sightseeing.

So do a little homework first, search around and find a trustworthy travel agent. Ask plenty of questions and listen to your agents advice before you hand over all your cash. Tell your tour planner how much it is you are willing to spend and they can create the perfect package for you within that budget. Top of the line world cup packages are available for you, your family, your friends, or even your teammates. So start preparing now. Don't wait until the last minute because with 3 million people coming, the best tickets, the nicest accommodation and the cheap flights to South Africa will be gone in the blink of an eye.

Millions of football fans will descend on South Africa during the month of June in order to attend the world largest sporting event, having booked one of the many world cup packages that are currently on offer. The 2010 World Cup will take place between June11th and July 11^th, spread among nine host cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to name just a few. However there are a few things you need to know before you board your plane. First of all, you will need a passport to enter the country. You won't, however, need a visa unless you plan to stay longer than ninety days. Your passport must also remain valid for at least 30 days after you're due to leave South Africa.

Planning your trip early and using a reputable and registered travel agent will allow you get the best deals that you r money can buy. Locating these world cup packages will take a little patience and homework but it will be worth it in the end. In fact, with the World Cup it is better to book everything in advance to eliminate the hassle for when you get there. Booking in advance leaves you able to enjoy all of the tournament stress free as well as danger free. The World Cup will play during South Africa's winter season, so it will be cool and rainy depending on which city you happen to spend time in. Think climate similar to that found in California in America or in Southwestern Australia in the land down under.

Transportation between the nine host cities will be either by high speed rail, rapid transit bus, taxi or rental car. Hire cars should be booked in advance in order to secure one for when you need it. Tell your travel agent to make the reservation. Ensure you know the local driving regulations and insurance rules if you plan to drive. However, if you decide to use a taxi ask the desk clerk at your hotel which firm is trustworthy and licensed.  Beware of buying tickets once on the ground because they may be invalid or counterfeit. Make sure you check any tickets with the official ticketing organisation to determine if your tickets are the real McCoy or fake. The government of South Africa and FIFA have put into place a zero tolerance policy outlawing racism and xenophobia. Fans who are very intoxicated will not be allowed inside the stadiums or fan parks outside the stadiums.

Its official, we now know the 32 teams that will be competing for the greatest prize in football, the Fifa World Cup and there are many different world cup packages on offer to help get fans to see all the action. The countries that have qualified for next year’s tournament are as follows:

Australia,  Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana,  Nigeria, Honduras, Mexico, United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, New Zealand, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and last but not least the hosts South Africa.

Now that we know which countries will be there, make sure you don’t miss out on being there too. With many good world cup packages available, getting there shouldn’t be that difficult.

Qualifying for this tournament wasn't that difficult for some countries either, for instance in Europe, Spain qualified winning all of their 10 matches, beating Turkey and Belgium in their group. Holland also qualified without any defeats, winning all 8 of their matches, their group included Norway and Scotland. The world champions Italy qualified easily enough but had to settle for three draws, twice with the Republic of Ireland and once with Bulgaria. England also made it through safely with 9 wins and one draw.

It was a different story for Portugal and France, who both had to go through an extra qualifying stage with knockout matches against Bosnia and the Republic of Ireland. France overcome Ireland with a late goal in extra time, but this game will be remembered for the much talked about hand ball by Henry which resulted in the goal that won the game. Portugal beat Bosnia in both of their home and away play-off matches 1-0 to qualify for the world cup.

In South America, as expected, Brazil topped the group with 9 wins and 2 defeats. Chile, Paraguay and Argentina joined them with automatic qualification, whilst Uruguay had to battle it out with Costa Rica in a play-off match. Uruguay were successful in the 2 leg match 2-1 on aggregate. This group will be remembered for how close Argentina came to not qualifying, an 84^th minute goal from Bolatti helped them to reach the finals in the end.

There are many companies offering fans the opportunity to see more of these battles in South Africa, with various world cup packages to suit you, whether that is following your country throughout the tournament or just watching the group stage matches in Johannesburg or Cape Town. Out of the 32 teams competing, who will fair best at the World Cup Finals?