The Preliminary Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ took place on Sunday 25 November at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, South Africa. The Draw determined the qualifying groups and ties for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

The Draw was held in the presence of South African President Thabo Mbeki, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, some of the best footballers of all time and representatives of more than 110 FIFA member associations. FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke conducted the Draw, while South African legends Kaizer Motaung, Jomo Sono and Lucas Radebe, along with Ali Daei (Iran), George Weah (Liberia), Abedi Pelé Ayew (Ghana), Kasey Keller (USA) and Marcel Desailly (France), provided a helping hand as his assistants.

SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) produced the international feed. The show was produced by George Mazarakis (Combined Artists) and the television feed by Gavin Wratten. The importance of the event, this first landmark occasion in South Africa on route to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, was captured perfectly, with proceedings, naturally, having a distinctly African flavour. The show included performances from renowned African artists including Lebo M, Judith Sephuma, Youssou N’dour, Freshlyground and the Afrotenors.

As Host Broadcaster for the Draw, HBS took care of all bookings and deliveries of unilateral services such as commentary, interview and announce positions, as well as handling the satellite distribution.

Key Preliminary Draw Broadcast Statistics
• Broadcast in over 200 territories worldwide (100 of which showed the event live)
• Full terrestrial coverage across Africa.
• 30 channels in Europe showed the draw live.
• Good coverage across the Americas, seven live broadcasts in Asia and live in Australia.
• Live in 39 territories in Europe on fifa.com through a deal with the EBU.
• A cumulative audience figure expected to be far higher than at the Preliminary Draw in 2003.
• 38 commentary positions
• Over 20 unilateral camera positions
• 100 observer seats