World Cup

The tournament stage of football's World Cup is taking place in South Africa, the first African nation to host the event. The four-yearly competition, which began in 1930, is regarded as the most-watched sporting event in the world. Organising body FIFA estimates that over 700 million people watched the final between Italy and France in 2006.

Alongside the main tournament, FIFA supports Football for Hope, a movement that tackles social issues through football. Teams of young people represent organisations tackling homelessness in the UK, landmines in Cambodia and HIV and AIDS education in South Africa, among others. At the opening ceremony, Nobel peace prize winner Desmond Tutu told the crowd that as Africa is the cradle of humanity he was welcoming people home. "Every single one of you. We are all Africans."

Discussion ideas

Football is not just a game - it connects people. What might be different in the world if there were no international football games?

How much less would people in the UK know about places and cultures overseas? What have you learned about other countries since this world cup began?

 Discuss Desmond Tutu's reference to the cradle of humanity. Were students aware that scientific evidence suggests human life began in Africa? Does the thought that we are all Africans, with common ancestors dating back millions of years, help bring people closer together?