2010 World Cup Travel Guide
Now that the U.S.have qualified for South Africa the question arises: should you attend in person?
I will not pretty much for the reasons spelled out by excellent Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl, who just spent seven months in the country while writing the book "The Beckham Experiment," in this article: crime, bad weather (it's winter down there), a lack of transportation options and expensive, hard to come by accommodation.
Even someone who spent years living in South Africa - a certain L.A. Times scribe - cautioned me about going. And after experiencing Germany's excellent transportation system in 2006 (press credentials doubled as unlimited first-class rail tickets to expedite travel between games) that included a memorable fruit and cheese plate/scrambled egg breakfast while whizzing along at almost 200 kph, South Africa is out for me.
Brazil in five years time will have several of the same problems, but at least they're football mad down there.
And I need to save up for Germany 2011 when the Women's World Cup will be held there (hopefully with the same train pass).
I wonder how many other fans will reach the same conclusion?
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Maybe Grant prefers Honduras now. I know people who were there recently and had a great time. Gotta adjust you're expectations a bit, that's all. Go and enjoy yourselves if you can afford it.
Women's World Cup is not worth a free rail pass Nick.
I hear you however if you do change your mind, AmericanSoccerNews has a partnership with a travel agency where you can get a (small) discount:
More here:
http://american-soccer-news.com/?p=3281
I always felt that if they had to give a WC to Africa, then it should have gone to Morocco, due to proximity to Europe and a better security situation. South Africa is one false step from being Zimbabwe ...
But visiting Germany again is, Studs Up.
I don't fancy going myself. I read a story last year about how the officials from FIFA where saying that it was save to travel to the world cup. That very day a professional football player (soccer) was playing golf on a private course protected by electrical fences. A man broke through, walked up to him and shot him dead for his watch and wallet. I don't think I will be going. Armchair for me.
Gav @ RJ bristol hotels.