Around the globe, football fans have been eagerly awaiting the Preliminary Draw to find out which opponents their nation will have to overcome to reach a spot among the 32 best teams for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. At the same time, the Preliminary Draw marked an important milestone on the road to achieving a lasting legacy for the African continent via the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. On 25 November, the day of the draw, ,the FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter launched the Official 2010 FIFA World Cup ™,Campaign "20 Centres for 2010" and setting the ball rolling for a positive social change across Africa.

"This campaign emphasizes the power of football far beyond the boundaries of the pitch. With the help of football fans, celebrities and sponsors, we want to achieve the building of 20 Football for Hope and make a leave a lasting legacy for the benefit of African youth after 11 July 2010," says FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

Football for Hope

The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Official Campaign marks the first time that the world's largest football event will harness the power of the game itself to inspire positive social change. Following the success of previous campaigns in 2002 ("Say yes for children") and 2006 ("6 villages for 2006"), the 2010 campaign will be conducted within the framework of the Football for Hope Movement. Football for Hope represents football's commitment to social development and is the key element of the strategic alliance between FIFA and streetfootballworld.

20 Centres for 2010
The goal of "20 Centres for 2010" is simple: to raise 10 million USD to fund the construction of 20 Football for Hope Centres across Africa. Five centres will be located in South Africa, including one in Alexandra in central Johannesburg and further 15 across the continent.. Each will feature a mini-pitch along with classrooms and health care facilities, providing youths a place to play as well as access to counselling, health and educational services.

The "software" of the 20 Football for Hope Centres will be provided by already successfully established local non-governmental organisations, all implementing partners of the Football for Hope Movement, in order to improve basic education, prevent diseases and promote health as well as encourage the social integration of minorities and disadvantaged populations in their respective communities.

Donating for the campaign

Funds to realise the 20 centres for 2010 in Africa will be raised worldwide starting in 2008. Football fans from around the world can contribute to 20 centres for 2010 by making a donation for every goal scored by the team of their heart on the road to and during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

To get the ball rolling, FIFA - supported by its 6 Partners adidas, Coca-Cola, Emirates, Hyundai, Sony and Visa - has committed to contributing 500 US dollars for every goal scored during the more than 800 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches (a donation of at least 1 million US dollars) for the construction of the Football for Hope Centres.

So the 25 November not only marks the start of the long road to qualification for the majority of world's football nations. For Africa, it represents the kick-off of a campaign using the beautiful game to inspire positive social change across the continent.

Together, we can make it possible!

Football fans committed to helping African youth and to supporting 20 centres for 2010 can do so at a special "20 centres for 2010 Section" on FIFA.com as of the 2 nd quarter of 2008.

Please register on FIFA.com Club not to miss the start of the fund-raising campaign.