Sports fans will be salivating at the 12 months ahead, with the World Cup in South Africa the centrepiece of a packed year. The African Cup of Nations is the first major football event - it is currently being played in Angola, with some of the Premier League's top stars competing for their home nations. The second Merseyside derby of the campaign is just weeks away as the season reaches its climax, with European and domestic cup finals to come in Hamburg, Madrid and Wembley.

Away from football, the calendar is full of big events and festivals. Vancouver will host the Winter Olympics througout February, while athletes will be travelling to Delhi for the latest staging of the Commonwealth Games in October. On the cricket front, England and Australia will again do battle in November as England look to retain the Ashes away from home, while golf fans will be waiting for the Ryder Cup in Wales at the start of October.

Here is our guide to the sports events you will not want to miss in 2010:

Football

African Cup of Nations - 10th - 31st January, Angola

Liverpool vs. Everton - 6th February, Anfield

Carling Cup Final - 28th February, Wembley

UEFA Europa League final - 12th May, Hamburg

FA Cup final - 15th May, Wembley

UEFA Champions League final - 22nd May, Madrid

FIFA World Cup - 11th June - 11th July, South Africa

General

Winter Olympics - 12th - 28th February, Vancouver

European Athletics Championships - 27th July - 1st August, Barcelona