The turbulence and uncertainty ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa continues to cast a dark cloud over what should be a nation's coming out party. The latest episode follows a report from the British newspaper The Guardian stating that insurers were fearful about providing coverage for the event amid fears that the stadiums would not be complete on time. This report comes at a time when around 500 workers have gone on strike at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The estimated date of completion for the 46,000-seat stadium is mid-2009 but unless this problem is solved quickly that will surely be pushed back.

It is widely thought that the United States is the stand-by host in case the event cannot go ahead in South Africa. Certainly living in the United States I would be delighted at an opportunity to attend World Cup matches so easily, but I want South Africa to host it, I think South Africa needs to host it. Few nations have had to deal with the hardships that South Africa has and the country needs something that could give it a chance to become the great nation it has the potential to be. I think, and I hope that the 2010 World Cup would do just that. So, I wish South Africa the best of luck

Tomorrow (or today in most places) Arsenal and Liverpool will meet in what will be the second of three matches in one week's time. It's an important match for both clubs, particularly Arsenal who need a win to keep pace with league leaders Manchester United. Despite a recent slide in form Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal still have enough in the tank to capture their first championship since the 2004 season in which the Gunners went unbeaten. The Londoners will need a solid performance from Phillipe Senderos and William Gallas in the heart of defense as it seems likely Rafa Benitez will call upon Peter Crouch who has made it a habit to score against Arsenal throughout his career. Arsenal also announced that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has signed a new contract. Lots of people question Almunia's ability, while there are many goalkeeper's I'd rather have I believe Almunia has done a respectable job.

In 2009 the city of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan will host the 8th edition of the World Games. Due to it's status as an Olympic sport Football is not on the program for the World Games but there is very little doubt that the World Games Stadium will host several Taiwan/Chinese Taipei national team matches following it's completion.

While the stadium features the dreaded athletics track it more than makes up for it with it's self-sufficient solar energy system. If the stadium receives enough sunlight it will be able to provide 80% of it's required energy while hosting events, and provide a surplus which will be sold back to the municipality when not hosting events. This is a huge step forward as stadium roofs cover a lot of room and the potential for solar energy is huge. The WG Stadium is not the first stadium in the world to take advantage of it's roof area for solar use, Basel's St-Jakob Park, which will host matches at the upcoming European Championships, is also an example.

The stadium was designed by the innovative Japanese architect Toyo Ito who has designed several notable buildings throughout east and southeast Asia. If the stadium goes as planned it will be in stark contrast to the many domed stadiums, such as the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, which dot the American landscape and could serve as a wake-up call of sorts for Western architects and developers.