The economic implications of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa

Abstract

The FIFA 2010 World Cup was held in South Africa; the first time the tournament had been played on the continent of Africa. Given the country's economic and social limitations, this study examines the economic impact of the World Cup on South Africa. We argue that although the World Cup was not the salvation of the economy that might have been hoped, it did favor some remarkable economic positive outcomes. Specifically, we argue that the World Cup provided South Africa with accelerated direct and indirect economic benefits such as expanding the country's international profile, adding to the country's GDP, upgrading its infrastructures, and increasing international exposure for its business community, the scale and scope of which would have been inconceivable without the World Cup.