Matches

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About the Matches and the Stages

There will be several dozen matches during this Soccer World Cup and they will be split into 3 stages: the Group Stage and the so-called Knockout Stage or Stage 2.

The 32 teams will enter first the Group Stage and play against their rivals within their own respective groups, then those who emerge victorious will enter the Knockout Stage, which itself has several levels.

Match stages are explained in details below...

Group Stage: teams will be organized into groups consisting of 4 football teams each, there will be a total of 8 such groups (from A to H, e.g. "Group C"), then out of each group of 4 teams only 2 will qualify for the next stage

Knockout Stage or Stage 2: 16 teams out of the initial 32 will enter the Knockout, following the Group Stage; the teams will compete with each other passing through the levels called Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Final

Recommended Resources:

FIFA - Group Stage Information

FIFA - Knockout Stage/Stage 2 Information

The World Cup 2010 Matches Schedule

The first match will be on June 11th, 2010 and the final will be on July 11th, 2010.

The games will go on for approximately 1 month and roughly 2 matches will take place daily. On some days only 1 match will be held, but never more than 2.

Recommended Resources:

FIFA - World Cup 2010 Calendar