Germany in World Cup retail boost (BBC News)
Strong spending by World Cup football fans lifted German retail sales during June, figures show.

German Retail Sales Rise on World Cup Spending (Update3) (Bloomberg.com)
July 31 (Bloomberg) — German retail sales rose more than expected in June as World Cup fever gripped the nation and households brought forward purchases to avoid a tax increase.

South Africa: Skills Shortage in Construction Sector a Threat to World Cup (AllAfrica.com)
A DIRE lack of core skills in the construction sector is threatening the successful roll-out of government’s public infrastructure development programme and projects planned for SA’s hosting of the Soccer World Cup in 2010.

Parreira to coach 2010 World Cup host South Africa (USA Today)
Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira signed a four-year deal to lead 2010 World Cup host South Africa. The 63-year-old was met in Brazil by South African Football Association chief Molefi Oliphant and World Cup 2010 local organizing committee head Danny Jordaan.