The 2010 FIFA World Cup begins this weekend, and we’re beside ourselves with excitement. Like a month-long international block party to which only the most talented and interesting people are invited, the World Cup is always the craziest part of (every fourth) summer. The event brings together the wildest, most skilled athletes across the globe for one very heated competition. Who’s gonna take the cup this year? Who’s gonna cause a ruckus? And who’s gonna break the rules? Start your bets! From the first kick to the last head-butt, we’ll breathlessly be tuning in.

Now everyone knows there’s no better way to kick off a major party than to warm up with some monster jams, and like any good friend, we’ve got you covered. Tomorrow, exclusively on VEVO, you’ll be able to tune in to a live stream of the FIFA World Cup™ Kick-Off Celebration Concert, featuring performances from international favorites like Alicia Keys, Amadou & Mariam, Angélique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré and Vusi Mahlasela. It’s our first live, high-definition global webcast ever, and, thanks to the help of our creative partner Kevin Wall and his production company Control Room, we get to share it with you!

You can watch the live stream of the concert tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. local time (GMT+2)/2:00 p.m. EST at worldcup.vevo.com. Afterwards, you’ll be able to watch it on-demand anytime on the VEVO Network, as well as enjoy other awesome exclusives from the artists performing.

As if that wasn’t cool enough, we’re also honored to be partnering with 1GOAL, chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, which is working to make sure world leaders fulfill their financial promises and provide education to every child by 2015 (UN Millennium Development Goals). You’ve probably noticed our campaign while watching your favorite music videos: the clips feature artists such as Pharell, Nelly Furtado, Eminem and Sting all voicing their support of worldwide education. If you want to join these artists in making this amazing and very important goal happen, we encourage you to visit 1GOAL’s site (1goal.org), where you can learn current statistics on global illiteracy, as well as sign the 1GOAL petition.

Whew! Obviously we have a lot going on. One thing we’re sure of, though, is that our first global live stream won’t be the same without you. So grab your favorite friends and refreshments, gather around the computer, and join us here at VEVO tomorrow, June 10th, for the global music event sure to be one of the defining moments of summer. No need to thank us. Just dance!

A. Taran