“Today I’m feeling proudly South African. The tourists loved it, the fans loved it, we loved it. That’s what we’re celebrating today.”

- South African radio commentator, regarding her country’s successful hosting of the World Cup

“Congrats Spain and thank you World Cup for bringing the world a little closer together. Brazil 2014…let’s go!!”

- RyanSeacrest on Twitter

“A soccer ball has a lot of power.” – DeAndre Harrison, a youth leader for Team USA at the Football for Hope Festival, during which delegates from 32 nations gather for education, culture and soccer.

A testimony to Harrison’s statement is the Middle East’s Peace Team, which is comprised of Israelis and Palestinians.

“South Africa should be really proud of themselves. I told President Jacob Zuma that they’re doing a great job and that they’ve gained the respect of the whole world. It’s been a huge victory for the people of South Africa. When we look back on the tournament in the future, we’ll remember Africa in a different light.”

- German chancellor Angela Merkel

“Imagine a better world where people are not for sale.”

- Berend Brock, a volunteer at the human trafficking booth in Pretoria’s Better World Village

“It’s not unfair, it’s soccer: so get over it already!” – Letter to the editor of The Star, a Johannesburg daily newspaper, referring to complaints about referees’ decisions that affected match outcomes

“From the beginning we knew that 2010 was not about the soccer World Cup, but about getting churches energized to reach their local communities for Christ.”

- Riaan Niemand, senior pastor of Eastside Community Church in Pretoria. Learn how they are empowering churches throughout South Africa

“It’s even silenced the vuvuzelas!” – TV commentator following heart-stopping play during the Paraguay-Spain match

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.”

- Nelson Mandela

“If all parties involved in football join in condemning and acting against discrimination, there is hope for eradicating it from our sport. There has been tremendous progress made over the last years but we still have a great amount of work ahead. The Anti-Discrimination Day here at the FIFA World Cup clearly shows the world the player’s rejection of racism and their willingness to fight it,” stressed Anthony Baffoe, former Ghanaian football player and second African to play in the German Bundesliga.

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“Tears abound on the pitch (field) from the Ghanaians, who gave it everything.”

- SuperSport television commentator, after Ghana lost to Uruguay in penalty kicks, knocking them out of the tournament