Beckenbauer gives Cape Town a thumbs up

Franz Beckenbauer, the president of the 2006 World Cup's steering committee, visited the Green Point stadium site this week and is said to be "very, very impressed" with the progress made. "The location of the Green Point stadium, underneath Table Mountain and with a view of Robben Island where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison was "stunning", according to the former Germany player and coach nicknamed The Kaiser. We think so to.

New Greenpoint Football stadium
Originally uploaded by CapeTownFootball2010

Bloem gets building

Work on the 46,000 seat Free State stadium in Bloemfontein will finally start. Negotiations have taken place over the last few months due to higher than expected tender prices. The Free State Government has stepped in and contributed R64 million to ensure that the upgrade could go ahead. A new grandstand will be built with an additional tier and all facilities within and around the stadium will undergo a major upgrade to ensure that the venue more than meets FIFA's requirements. Ironically, Free State stadium will be the first stadium to complete all its works, four months ahead of the FIFA Confederations Cup deadline of December 2008.

Photographer: Eline Dejong

Inside peek

Durban has certainly been the leader of the pack when it comes to the construction of its 70,000 seat 2010 FIFA World CupTM Moses Mabhida stadium. Great work at the site has certainly maintained the pace of construction which began in late 2006. These images provide a great look close-up look at some of the work taking place at the site. The first tier seems to be progressing well along with work on the base of the majestic arch set to change the skyline of Durban forever.

Photographer: Chris Bloom

Busy bees at Soccer City

Work at the 100,000+ capacity 2010 FIFA World CupTM Final venue has been progressing really well. Significant progress has been made with regards to the earthworks and work on all tiers of the stadium is currently taking place. These amazing images certainly give credit to the great work that is taking place at the world's largest calabash.

Photographer: Pule Mofokeng

Athlone giant is rising

Athlone stadium in Cape Town is progressing well and should be complete before the end of 2008. Construction is currently taking place behind each goal area to increase capacity from about 30,000 to 40,000+. the stadium will host numerous warm-up World Cup matches in 2009 and will act as as 2010 FIFA World CupTM training venues and possible fan park.

Photographer: picks and shovels team

Nelson Mandela Bay back on track

The Nelson Mandela Bay stadium is back on track after falling slightly behind schedule. The 50,000 seat World Cup stadium will be complete in December 2008 and will host numerous Confederations Cup matches in June 2009.

Photographer: Luke Bentley and Max