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Since 1930, the members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) have gathered for the Wold Cup tournament. Every four years, 32 international soccer teams qualify for the month-long competition. With and 18-karat Coupe du Monde on the line, and the honor that victory brings to a team's country and its players, it is hardly surprising that fans become fanatics. There are few things more colorful or more crazy than a FIFA World Cup supporter—especially those devoted enough to fly to host countries from Brazil to the Republic of Korea. With 76 nations having played in at least one tournament, eleven host nations, and seven national winners, it is expected, and yet always awe-inspiring, to see the rainbow of colors and symbols fans use to show their pride![... In Her Own Nation]()
At the Group D match between Serbia and Ghana on June 13, 2010, one fan seems to have many ties... both international and interplanetary. Her face paint and hat bear the colors of the South Africa flag, while she wears the Ghana flag across her shoulders. Her bedazzled vuvuzela and brim, however, look a bit... spacey. Pom-poms and periwinkle feathers that resemble a plucked peacock and skinned Furby make this fan stand out at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.![80's Rock and Goal]()
South Africa played Mexico following the 2010 World Cup opening ceremony at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was June 11, 2010, and that afternoon, tensions were high despite the overarching festivity. Nelson Madela's great grand-daughter, Zenani Mandela, had died in a car crash earlier that day following an opening ceremony concert, prompting locals to sing and play the South African national anthem in respect. Mexico and South Africa tied 1-1 with Tshabalala's goal in the 55th minute, a surprising accomplishment for the underdog host country.![A_Fine_Line]()
There is a fine line between support and fanaticism, and these Brazil fans just may have crossed it. On June 20, 2010, Brazil played Ivory Coast in the Group G match at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. Brazil bettered Côte d’Ivoire 3-1 with two goals by Fabiano and one by Elano, and a point by the famous Chelsea striker Didier Drogba for Ivory Coast. (Yes, this fan has hair wraps in his beard.)![A_Taegeuk_Warrior]()
A South Korea (officially Korea Republic) soccer fan watches a live TV broadcast of the Group B match between the ROK and Argentina. The match took place on June 17, 2010 at the Seoul City Hall Plaza in Johannesburg, South Africa. This fan shows his support for the "Taegeuk Warriors", the ROK team's nickname. The title derives from the teageuk or ying-yang-esque symbol in the middle of the ROK flag. The warriors, however, were no match for Argentina, losing 4-1 in the 20th match of the group stage.![Adults_Take_Note]()
Young fans wait for the start during a 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between England and Germany at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein June 27, 2010.![An_Ironic_Expression]()
A fan in face paint waits for the start of the 2010 World Cup Group B soccer match between South Korea and Greece at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth June 12, 2010.![Arrr_]()
A Slovakia fan grimaces as he waits for the start of the 2010 World Cup Group F soccer match between Slovakia and Italy at Elis Park stadium in Johannesburg June 24, 2010.![Bafana_Bafana]()
Residents take to the streets in support of the South Africa soccer team Bafana Bafana, during a fans' party in Cape Town, June 10, 2010. The 2010 World Cup begins on June 11.![Birds_of_Prey]()
Fans react after New Zealand failed to progress to the second round after their 2010 World Cup Group F soccer match against Paraguay at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane June 24, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the second round of the World Cup finals.![Capitalizing_on_Losses]()
A fan, with the French flag painted on his head, is pictured as he waits for the start of the 2010 World Cup Group A soccer match between France and South Africa at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein June 22, 2010.![Child's Play]()
A fan blows the vuvuzela before the 2010 World Cup Group A soccer match between France and South Africa at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein June 22, 2010.![Clowning_Around]()
Japanese fans dressed as clowns wait for the start of the 2010 World Cup Group E soccer match between Netherlands and Japan at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 19, 2010.![Deutschland_]()
A Germany fan blows a vuvuzela before the 2010 World Cup Group D soccer match between Ghana and Germany at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg June 23, 2010.![Fan_Blows_a_Kiss]()
A fan blows a kiss to the photographer as she waits for the start of the 2010 World Cup Group F soccer match between Italy and New Zealand at Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit June 20, 2010.![Foam_Dome]()
A Germany fan in face paint smiles ahead of the 2010 World Cup Group D soccer match between Germany and Serbia at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth June 18, 2010.![Force]()
A Portugal soccer fan blows the vuvuzela before the start of the 2010 World Cup Group G soccer match between Brazil and Portugal at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 25, 2010. REUTERS/Christian Charisius (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)![Full_View]()
Soccer enthusiast Jacob Baloyi shows off his Makarapa, a hand cut and hand painted hard hat worn by the South African soccer fans in Johannesburg August 4, 2009. The most eye-catching sight in the stands at next year's soccer World Cup will be thousands of jiving fans wearing elaborate headgear invented by a former cleaner in his township shack![Germany_Fans]()
German fans smile before a 2010 World Cup Group D soccer match against Ghana at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg June 23, 2010.![Germany_Fans_2]()
Fans blow the vuvuzela trumpers before the 2010 World Cup Group D soccer match between Germany and Ghana at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg June 23, 2010.![Ghana_Fan_atic_]()
A Ghana fan is seen before a 2010 World Cup Group D soccer match against Germany at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg June 23, 2010.![Glitter__AP]()
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Switzerland's fans celebrate after their win against Spain at the end of a 2010 World Cup Group H match at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 16, 2010.![Greece_Fans]()
Soccer fans pose before the start of the 2010 World Cup Group B soccer match between Argentina and Greece at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane June 22, 2010.![Guess_Who]()
A South African fan waves before the 2010 World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg June 11, 2010.![If_Seurat_Made_Makarapas]()
Soccer enthusiast Jacob Baloyi shows off his Makarapa, a hand cut and hand painted hard hat worn by the South African soccer fans in Johannesburg August 4, 2009. The most eye-catching sight in the stands at next year's soccer World Cup will be thousands of jiving fans wearing elaborate headgear invented by a former cleaner in his township shack.![Il_Nostro_Azzurro]()
A face painted Italian fan waits for the start of the 2010 World Cup Group F soccer match between Italy and New Zealand at Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit June 20, 2010.![Italy_Fan]()
A fan blows the vuvuzela before the 2010 World Cup Group F soccer match between Slovakia and Italy at Elis Park stadium in Johannesburg June 24, 2010.![It's a Bird!]()
Uruguayan fans cheer as they wait for the start of the 2010 World Cup second round match between South Korea and Uruguay in Port Elizabeth June 26, 2010.![Ivory_Coast_Fans]()
Ivory Coast fans shout during a public screening of their World Cup 2010 soccer match against Portugal, in the Yopougon area of Abidjan June 15, 2010.![Japan_Fan__AP]()
A supporter of the Japan team cheers during the World Cup group E soccer match between Japan and Cameroon at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Monday, June 14, 2010.![Kitchen_Rivalry]()
Switzerland's fans hold a national flag and banners as they celebrate after their win against Spain at the end of a 2010 World Cup Group H match at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 16, 2010.![LOOK]()
A fan waves ahead of a 2010 World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Serbia at Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit June 23, 2010. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP SOCIETY)![Madiba_Magic]()
Fans cheer before the 2010 World Cup Group A soccer match between South Africa and Uruguay at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 16, 2010.![Maradona_Mask]()
A fan wearing a Deigo Maradona mask waits for the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Argentina and Mexico at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg June 27, 2010.![Mexico_Fan]()
A Mexican fan cheers before the start of the 2010 World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and Uruguay at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg June 22, 2010.![Mohawk]()
Fans cheer before the start of the 2010 World Cup Group B soccer match between Nigeria and South Korea at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 22, 2010.![Multi_Functional]()
A Portugal fan blows the vuvuzela ahead of the 2010 World Cup Group G soccer match between Ivory Coast and Portugal at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth June 15, 2010.![Multi_National__AP]()
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A Nigeria fan cheers before the 2010 World Cup Group B soccer match between Nigeria and South Korea at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 22, 2010.![No_Clowning_Around]()
A soccer fan blows the vuvuzela before the 2010 World Cup Group F soccer match between Paraguay and New Zealand at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane June 24, 2010.![No_Vuvuzelas]()
A sticker forbidding the blowing of vuvuzelas is seen on a door of a mall in downtown Bloemfontein, June 15, 2010.![Not_Your_Average_Soccer_Mom]()
Japan fans wave before the 2010 World Cup Group E soccer match between Japan and Cameroon at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein June 14, 2010.![Patriotism]()
A United States soccer fan blows a vuvuzela before the 2010 World Cup Group C soccer match between the U.S. and Algeria at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 23, 2010.![Shock_Value]()
A fan blows the vuvuzela before the start of a 2010 World Cup Group H match between Spain and Honduras at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg June 21, 2010.![SlovAHHkia]()
A Slovakian soccer fan cheers before the start of the 2010 World Cup Group F soccer match between New Zealand and Slovakia at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg June 15, 2010.![Swiss_Cheese]()
Switzerland fans cheer before the 2010 World Cup Group H match between Honduras and Switzerland at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein June 25, 2010.![Switzerland_Fan]()
A Switzerland fan blows a vuvuzela as he waits for the start of the 2010 World Cup Group H match between Switzerland and Chile at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth June 21, 2010.![The_Guarani]()
A fan waits for the start of the 2010 World Cup Group F soccer match between Paraguay and Italy at Green Point stadium in Cape Town June 14, 2010.![The_Red_Devils]()
South Korean soccer fans cheer as they wait to watch a live TV broadcast of the South Korea versus Argentina 2010 World Cup Group B soccer match in Johannesburg, in Seoul June 17, 2010.![Thumb's Up]()
A child with face paint gives a thumbs up before the 2010 World Cup Group D soccer match between Germany and Australia at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 13, 2010.![Tie_Dyed_Hair]()
A Nigeria fan cheers before the start of the 2010 World Cup Group B soccer match between Nigeria and South Korea at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 22, 2010.![Tongue_Ring]()
A fan smiles before the 2010 World Cup Group A soccer match between South Africa and Uruguay at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 16, 2010.![U_S__Fans]()
United States fans await the start of a 2010 World Cup Group C soccer match against Algeria at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, June 23, 2010.![Unique_Hat]()
A South Korean fan wearing a hat made out of a soccer ball cheers during the 2010 World Cup Group B soccer match between Nigeria and South Korea at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 22, 2010.![Zakumi_]()
A soccer fan blows the vuvuzela trumpet before the start of the 2010 World Cup Group D soccer match between Germany and Australia at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 13, 2010.Introducing: World Cup Fan(atic)s!
As exciting as the play has been on the field during the World Cup, it's been as wild and crazy in the stands. Here's a look at some of the fanatics that have shown their faces at the World Cup. By Kat Meduski
Move Forward
- Introducing: World Cup Fan(atic)s!
