The Catholic Church in South Africa said...

This year"s World Cup will be hosted for the first time in the history of football by an African nation. It will be held in South Africa from June 11 to July 11.

South African Catholic Bishop"s Conference (SACBC) said on its website that the Church in South Africa wanted to contribute to the success of the World Cup in its own way by offering a prayer dedicated to the tournament.

"Almighty God, creator of all, as people from every nation gather with excitement

and enthusiasm for the 2010 World Soccer Cup may South Africans be good hosts, and our

visitors, welcomed guests and the players from every team be blessed with good sportsmanship

and health," the prayer begins.

It also calls on players and all involved to promote the spirit of fairness, justice and peace.

The upcoming tournament will involve 32 national teams from 6 confederations. Russia has failed to make the tournament after a catastrophic defeat to tiny Slovenia in a

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