2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Game Modes

As usual, EA have included a number of modes for players to get involved with. Both on the single player and multiplayer front, they're many ways to lead your team to world cup glory. Here's a brief run-down of what's included on the disc.

Kick Off

Select two teams and jump straight into a match. All settings, including half-length, difficulty and stadium can be changed on the pre-match screen.

2010 FIFA World Cup

Your express ticket to the main tournament, or if you prefer, the entire qualification process as well. Participating teams can be completely customised, so if you're struggling against the fire-power of Spain or Brazil, you can swap them for the mighty force of the Cook Islands.

All settings can be set to your preference here, apart from the stadia in which matches take place. In both the qualification and world cup itself, you'll play in stadiums relative to the group, tournament stage or home team.

Captain Your Country

Take control of one player and aim to win the World Cup, whilst battling to become captain of your country. Here you can choose to play as an existing player, to create a fictional virtual pro, or to carry your pro from FIFA 10 over. If you choose the latter two options all statistics will be set to default, therefore making it a tougher challenge and a journey of vast improvement.

Story of Qualifying

Relive vital qualifying moments from all over the world, and try to change their outcome. This is the game's scenario section, and provided strict objectives for you to complete. Each objective completed adds points to your score, thus unlocking further scenarios to take part in.

Online FIFA World Cup

An exciting multiplayer version of the big tournament itself. Pit yourself against challengers from all over the globe and aim for world cup glory. Choose your squad, advance through the group phase and then head to the knockout stages.

Xbox Live

The quickest method of jumping into an online multiplayer match is the 'Head to Head' option. Criteria can be selected or random opponent can be automatically chosen.

Also, rankings and leadboards can be checked here. The online lobby is a great way of chatting to likeminded players and setting up friendlier games. Xbox Live is the best tool to utilize when keeping up to date with new squads, which can all be downloaded here.

Penalty Shootout

The perfect place to practice those all-important spot kicks. Learn the basics of the new system by watching the basic, advanced and saving tutorials, and then hit the training ground in order to put it all together. Players can also head to the main event and put themselves straight into a penalty situation, replicating the pressure far more intensely than the training pitch.

Training Ground

Your portal for improvement. Take on the goalkeeper 1 on 1, play in a full training match, practice set pieces and even create your own set pieces. Put in the work here to create something original for the real game. This is the only place to get your passing and finishing technique down to a tee.

My 2010 FIFA World Cup

Check all your game settings, teams, individual players and virtual pros here. Controls and gameplay help can be found here, with skill moves and celebrations written down for ease. EA Sports' extras also include a full listing of achievements, track listings and the opportunity to type in any codes for unlockables you may receive across the tournament.

2010 FIFA World Cup Store

The main hub for downloadable content that will be released during the tournament. New kits, commentary packages, boots and Story of Qualifying content are sure to on sale here.