(5 July 2006 7:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Just two days before the final of the 2006 Fifa World Cup between Italy and either France or Portugal, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, will be the setting for a big football party: The ‘Football for a Better World - From Germany to South Africa’ show will kick off the four-year journey to the 2010 Fifa World Cup with a joyful celebration of football and music.
Admission is completely free.

The show features multi-platinum selling acts from across the globe. Germany is represented by Xavier Naidoo, Wir sind Helden and Die Fantastischen Vier. South American star Ivete Sangalo will bring the samba spirit, dancehall and hip hop superstars Sean Pau,l Wyclef Jean and Lumidee will be moving the crowd all night long, and further special performances by Patrizio Buanne and other special guest stars are also lined-up.

One of the highlights of the evening will be the super-group put together spontaneously and specially for this show by African music legend Youssou N’Dour.

This unique group features fellow African artists such as, Angélique Kidjo, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Vusi Mahlasela, MC Solaar und Rokia Traore. Freshlyground, South Africa’s top selling artists complete the high quality line-up. The show will be presented by popular German TV sports and entertainment anchors Monica Lierhaus and Matthias Opdenhövel and stand-up comedian Michael Mittermeier will present a special set of his unique brand of humour.

High-ranking dignitaries such as the General Secretary of the UN Kofi Annan, South Africa president Thabo Mbeki, Fifa president Joseph S Blatter, the president of the 2006 Fifa Organising Committee Franz Beckenbauer, as well as the Governing Mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit will be addressing the show audience in Berlin and millions of television viewers watching the broadcast in over 120 countries. The former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela will be joining in via a video message from the 2010 host country.

In keeping with the upcoming change in venue for the soccer World Cup legends of African football will also grace the stage with stars such as George Weah, Roger Milla and Abedi Pele unveiling a special treat for the Berlin audience. The Giant video screens at the Fan fest will replay the greatest moments of the 2006 Fifa World Cup and provide the context for all the evenings entertainment. Fifa will also highlight its Official Charity Campaign “6 villages for 2006” in conjunction with SOS Children’s Villages. This project aiming at creating six new SOS children’s villages in Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Ukraine, and Vietnam, providing a new home to at least 800 children in need.

With this show, the world governing body of football wants to emphasise the power of football far beyond the boundaries of the pitch by bringing together with artists, football icons and world leaders to deliver a joint message to the world. The show, broadcast from Germany’s biggest public viewing event the Fan Fest Berlin, will spotlight the “Football for a Better World” alliance, which will allow the implementation of one of the main goals of world football’s governing body, which is to strive to build a better future through football, especially in Africa, but also throughout the world.