An earth-shaking event such as the World Cup will present a serious security challenge to any nation on the planet earth, no matter how rich, no matter the sophistication of its security institutions/agencies and no matter the degree of vigilance. Since winning the ticket in August 2007 to host the World Cup, the government and people of South Africa have committed enormous resources, both in capital and human resources to see to the realisation of this mega event in their country. It is true that winning to host has provoked an burst of euphoria all through the land, but as the participating teams, visitors/tourists begin to arrive in South Africa this week, that euphoria will soon give way, with the government and the very reflective South Africans holding their breath as to the next big issue-security and the challenges it poses to all the stakeholders.