The 2010 FIFA World Cup is destined to be one of the greatest sporting events to take place on the African continent.

U2's front-man Bono calls it a democratic event as any country big or small can take the trophy. Former Secretary of State Kissenger calls the tournament patriotic, as each country plays as their cultural mirror; the Germans are tactical, Brazilians play with a samba beat only heard by the players and fans, with the United States playing with broad selection of players of multiple ethnic backgrounds.

Electronic Arts Sports has release a FIFA World Cup game since 1998, and this year's title is to include all 199 teams registered with the world soccer organized institution. Pack your bags, iron your national team shirt, and lets head to South Africa.

The popularity of the FIFA series is rooted by the opportunity to guide your favorite club team through Manager or Be-a-Pro mode; FC Barcelona, Chelsea or Manchester United, on a weekly basis. National teams rarely play on the same regularity as the club teams do. And with the World Cup every four years there is so much at stake with a sport that celebrates athletic competition and nationalistic pride. Rarely is soccer a single man effort, especially on the World Cup stage.

Yes, we have the fabulous play of the stars in Pele, Cruyff, Platini, Maradona, Romario, Zidane, and Ronaldo are etched in the annals of soccer lore. Yet, all these stars shined through the help of their teammates. Soccer may have the drama of heroes and villains, but champions are crowned on the collaboration of a team effort and not the exploits of one.

EA Sports FIFA games exemplify the need of teammates in its modes; computer controlled teammates are making runs into space, goalkeepers coming off the line to punch the ball, and defenders pulling an off-sides trap.

It is the non-controlled features of an actual game that keeps 2010 FIFA World Cup to be a fan favorite of soccer fans; opposing players jump over tackles, quick start free-kicks and a referee that will jump out of the way from an incoming pass or player. It is the atmospheric celebration of 2010 FIFA World Cup compels for each game - of your chosen country - to be as important as the actual games in South Africa take place.

The features are not just the game itself. Upset over US Men's Coach Bob Bradley left Brian Ching off the roster? Include Ching on your 2010 WC squad and march your men through qualifications and World Cup Finals. And EA allows all the type of tinkering and with the continual updates on national team rosters. It is no wonder that in a request to a South African hotel, Argentina National Men's team asked for six PlayStations to be accommodated for their stay.

For the Mexican community it is a battle of overcoming. Si se puede, is chanted in the stands of all games is a cry of unity, for a country torn by political scandals, poverty and drug wars. But can a video game capture all the raw emotion of the beautiful game? In many ways, Electronic Arts delivers the tools and mechanics of a great game of digital soccer.