ALL 32 teams playing in the 2010 Fifa World Cup will set up base in the host country, dealing a blow to South Africa’s neighbours who were hoping to lure some of the teams.
Zimbabwe lobbied heavily, once dispatching the Tourism Minister to Brazil to entice the five-time world champions to set up a pre-tournament camp in the country. Christiano Ronaldo's Portugal had also been approached.
But Fifa confirmed on Thursday that all 32 teams had identified their bases, the majority concentrated around Gauteng Province.
The World Cup runs between June 11 and July 11.
World champions Italy chose the Leriba Lodge in Centurion just outside Pretoria, while Brazil will be camped at The Fairway in Johannesburg.
Germany picked the Velmore Hotel in Pretoria, the same city as Diego Maradona's Argentina, North Korea, New Zealand, Ghana and Slovakia.
Spain will take over the NWU Campus in Potchefstroom while England have identified the Bafokeng Sports Campus in Rustenburg.
Shingi Munyeza, the group CEO of Africa Sun Limited, said their campaign to bring some teams to Zimbabwe was always a long shot. He insists Zimbabwe still stands to benefit from tourists coming across the border.
He said: “The first thing is that you have to realise that the tournament will be held in South Africa. Ours was to take the left-overs.
“Zimbabwe and other countries will benefit in terms of the awareness that the tournament has brought for the region and the tourists who will visit other attractions outside South Africa. We will benefit but we must be clear that the tournament is in South Africa, not Zimbabwe.”
Munyeza said the coalition partners in the government need to speak with one voice in selling the country as a favourable tourist destination to thousands of football fans expected in South Africa from around the world.
World Cup Bases for the 32 Finalists:
Algeria, Zimbali Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal
Argentina, High Performance Centre, Pretoria
Australia, Kloofzicht Lodge, Gauteng
Brazil, The Fairway, Johannesburg
Cameroon, Oyster Box, KwaZulu-Natal
Chile, Ingwenyama Conference Centre, Lowveld
Denmark, Simola Hotel Country Club, Knysna
England, Bafokeng Sports Campus, Rustenburg
France, Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, Knysna
Germany, Velmore Hotel, Centurion
Ghana, Rhoode Valley, Eastern Cape
Greece, Beverly Hills Hotel, KwaZulu-Natal
Honduras, The Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg
Italy, Leriba Lodge, Pretoria
Ivory Coast, Riverside Hotel & Conference, Vaal, Gauteng
Japan, Fancourt Hotel & Counry Club, George
Mexico, Thaba Ya Batswana, Johannesburg
Netherlands, Hilton Sandton, Sandton
New Zealand, Serengeti Estate, Gauteng
Nigeria, Hampshire, Durban
North Korea, Protea Hotel Midrand, Johannesburg
Paraguay, Woodridge Country Estate, KwaZulu Natal
Portugal, Valley Lodge, Gauteng
Serbia, Sunnyside Park Hotel, Johannesburg
Slovakia, The Villas Luxury Suite Hotel, Pretoria
Slovenia, Hyde Park Southern Sun, Johannesburg
Spain, NWU Campus, Potchefstroom
South Africa, Southern Sun Grayston, Sandton
South Korea, Hunters Rest Hotel, Rustenburg
Switzerland, Emerald Resort & Casino, Vanderbijlpark
United States, Irene Country Lodge, Pretoria
Uruguay, Protea Hotel Kimberley, Kimberley