With just over one year to the kick-off of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, this weekend saw four major teams qualifying for the tournament, as well as the opening of South Africa?s first newly-built stadium for the event.

From the Asian zone Japan, Korea Republic and Australia became the first teams to qualify for Africa's first FIFA World Cup next year, while the Netherlands last night became the first European team to qualify.

"The Netherlands, Japan, Korea Republic and Australia are big teams — on and off the field. Their qualification will begin to shape the great atmosphere we envisage for the event," said 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chief Executive Dr Danny Jordaan.

He added: "The Dutch, clearly from a football point of view, have some of the most exciting players in the world. And off the field, Dutch fans — dressed in their sea of orange — are synonymous with bringing their special energy to any major event in the world. We're looking forward to welcoming these exciting teams and their supporters," said Jordaan.

Meanwhile, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium became the first newly-built stadium to be officially opened for the tournament — a year ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"For us the first opening of a newly-built 2010 FIFA World Cup stadium is a huge boost. With the four stadiums about to host the FIFA Confederations Cup ready, this brings to five the number of 2010 FIFA World Cup stadiums now complete a year to go to the event. And all the other five new arenas are also shaping up nicely to be ready well ahead of event," concluded Jordaan.

Eight games, including a third and fourth place playoff and a quarter final, will take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, which will seat 48 000 fans during next year?s tournament.

The stadium will host its first competitive game next week when the touring British & Irish Lions rugby team play a local Southern Kings Invitational side on 16 June.