Whitehorse may not be preparing to welcome the world like South Africa, but the city is still getting in on the celebrations.

On Thursday evening Whitehorse Minor Soccer hosted its own mini-World Cup for the final event in the U-7 outdoor soccer season.

Each team in the league dressed up as their favourite team and a friendly World Cup was played right here on Yukon soil.

Participating countries were; South Africa (team Chocolate Claim), Australia (Yukon Outfitters), Switzerland (Qualita Cleaners), USA (Boston Pizza), Italy (Pristine Autocare), Greece (Titan Gaming), Brazil (Lake Labarge Lions) and Japan (Tim Hortons).

"The event was very waka waka, minus the vuvuzela's,” said U-7 coordinator Cristina Pekarik. "We did have one player show up with their mini-ghetto blaster, playing Waving Flag.”

The U-7 teams didn't have a hard time imagining they were right in South Africa.

"The music, flags of eight teams being represented at the World Cup, and painted faces got us all in the spirit,” Pekarik said.

The tournament format saw three elimination scrimages.

"There was lots of flag waving and cheering and best of all, great play of the world's favourite game,” Pekarik said.

Of the eight teams that played, all of them had too many players show up due to the excitement of the World Cup, Pekarik said.

"The U-7 WMSA Mini World Cup was really a great way to end our outdoor season,” she said. "It was also a completely hands – and feet – on way to feel part of this wonderful global game and of the 2010 World Cup.”

The World Cup comes at a time when interest in soccer is spreading in Whitehorse.

Pekarik said that many of the Chocolate Claim players who represented South Africa, may have found a team to cheer for.

"I expect that many Chocolate Claim team players will have been cheering for South Africa, especially for that brilliant first goal, as they got ready for school this morning.