During the two months prior to the start of the final tournament in South Africa, the participating teams had to inform FIFA of their whereabouts. FIFA Doping Control Officers then visited all eight participating teams and performed unannounced out-of-competition tests. Eight players per team were drawn, which meant that a total of 64 players were tested out-of-competition. Prof. Jiri Dvorak, FIFA Chief Medical Officer, said that "some players were surprised when we woke them up at 7am, but the cooperation of all teams was excellent".

During the competition, players were selected and tested at all 16 matches. Two players per team were randomly drawn to undergo the doping control. All the usual prohibited substances and methods were searched for in the urine and blood tests, including stimulants, anabolic steroids, diuretics and erythropoietin (EPO).

FIFA is satisfied with the cooperation of the teams and the smooth running of the analysis procedure at the local South African Doping Control Laboratory in Bloemfontein - accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) - which analysed all samples. The results of the testing programme show that high performances are possible in top-level football without the use of prohibited substances or methods.

Since 1994, 6,483 doping tests have been performed in FIFA final competitions and only three players have tested positive for a prohibited substance.