Concert to kick off 2010 World Cup

Next year’s World Cup Finals in South Africa will begin with a spectacular celebration concert.

The sport’s governing body, FIFA, today announced the three-hour event on June 10, which will highlight the “music, sport and visual pageantry of South Africa”, at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.

The event – featuring African superstars and football legends – is the first of its kind and takes place a day before the opening ceremony and first game.

The production team behind the concert, Control Room, have worked on events such as Live 8 and Live Earth, and the show will be broadcast around the world.

Artists performing at the Official Kick-Off Celebration Concert will be announced nearer to the show date.

The 2010 tournament is the first World Cup to be held in Africa.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said: “This kick-off celebration will be one of the greatest events of its kind in Africa and a must-see for football and music fans around the world.”

Danny Jordaan, CEO of the tournament’s organising committee, said: “There are few things in life that can kindle such widespread passion as football, but music is without doubt one of them. With this celebratory kick-off event, football fans are in for a huge treat.”