FIFA World Cup 2010 Opening Ceremony Time & Schedule

FIFA World Cup 2010 Opening Ceremony:

• 2 PM (Local Time)
• 12 Noon (GMT)
• 5:30 PM (IST)

Blazing lights, lush green field, rocking music, jaw-dropping football squad and prominent stars - the sweltering, breathtaking extravaganza of football is good to go! Add to this a larger-than-life opening ceremony and audience is sure to get a taste of the most magnificent sporting event of the year. FIFA World Cup 2010 carnival is all set to put the stage on fire, with Johannesburg acting as the key host city. The World Cup opening ceremony is anticipated to be a real treat to the soccer-loving souls.

 
This year, FIFA World Cup will have an extraordinary feat with players and audience enjoying a “2-day opening” that would start on Thursday night. Tonight, witness the biggest pop extravaganza in the continent’s history with 1,581 performers across the globe. Shakira will perform the official 2010 World Cup song, “Waka Waka This Time for Africa”. She will team up with a local South African group, Freshlyground, to sway the spectators with a heart-throbbing performance.
 
Also, rocking the stage in the grand ceremony will be distinguished artists, John Legend, Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, and Colombian heart-throb rocker Juanes. Top African musicians such as Amadou and Mariam, The Parlotones and Angelique Kidjo, will also be performing. Best part of the Thursday night concert is that the profit earned will be donated to “20 Centers for 2010”, a charity campaign dedicated to enhancing public health, education and development across Africa. FIFA opted to keep the Friday’s actual opening ceremony, before the game between the hosts and Mexico, performances somewhat a secret. This is mainly done to sustain the pinnacle of expectations and excitement!