Black Eyed Peas, Shakira to front football World Cup concert

The Black Eyed Peas, Shakira and Alicia Keys will be among scores of music stars performing at a concert on the eve of the soccer World Cup in South Africa, organisers said on Wednesday.

The concert in South Africa's biggest black township Soweto will be on June 10, a day before the start of the month-long World Cup, which is being hosted for the first time in Africa.

The concert in the 30,000-capacity stadium will be broadcast live to millions of people across the world.

"We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note -- of celebration," FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said in a statement.

Among other performers at the concert will be African musicians including Benin-born diva Angelique Kidjo, Amadou and Mariam from Mali, South African group the Parlotones and Tuareg desert blues band Tinariwen.

Net proceeds from the concert will go to 20 Centres for 2010, FIFA's official social campaign for the World Cup -- aimed at achieving positive change in Africa through football.

The campaign aims to build 20 centres across the continent offering healthcare services, education and soccer training for disadvantaged communities.

Photograph: Reuters