The FIFA chief today joined South African president Jacob Zuma in welcoming the event to the country, with both leaders agreeing the competition will leave a permanent legacy.

Hosts Bafana Bafana face Mexico in the tournament opener at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Friday, and the head of state said it has been a moment the Rainbow Nation has been long readying itself for.

"We have been preparing for the tournament since May 15, 2004 when Mr Sepp Blatter carefully removed from an envelope the card that named our country as the host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup," Zuma said.

"We knew from that moment that South Africa would never be the same again."

Zuma was also confident in the country's ability to host the competition, which gets under way on Friday.

He continued: "We are truly pleased and humbled to host the world in our country for this historical and extraordinary event.

"Building up to the tournament we have seen something that we have never seen before. South Africa is more than ready.

"We are ready and for us the World Cup has already begun."

Blatter, a long-time supporter of bringing the tournament to the African continent, has faced plenty of criticism over the years for the decision.

But he said: "It was a long way to come with FIFA's World Cup to Africa and to connect it with South Africa to make it an African World Cup. It was a long way to come, but we did it.

"You can say it's a FIFA World Cup, but all the work to make this event possible has been done in this country.

"And when at the end of the day, compliments shall be given, it shall be given to South Africa and the African continent and I'm sure we will be able to do so."

Zuma also hailed the influence of the first democratically elected president of the country, Nelson Mandela, in bringing the tournament to South Africa.

"The enthusiasm, joy and excitement that has engulfed the entire nation in recent weeks has not been witnessed since president Nelson Mandela was released from prison (in 1990)," he said.

"At this point, it is proper for me to acknowledge and thank our founding president and icon for his visionary leadership and statesmanship.

"It is through his tireless efforts to achieve reconciliation and to build a thriving Rainbow Nation that the world bestowed South Africa with this honour of hosting the games."

It is still unsure whether Mandela, who turns 92 next month, will attend the competition's opening ceremony on Friday.

Zuma added: "Firstly, I think we all know former president Mandela has aged and for any aged person the manner in which you carry yourself has changed.

"That is a decision for President Mandela to make. If he is there it will be a bonus for this tournament. Indeed, we wish he will be there."

Blatter confirmed he had met Mandela a few days ago, revealing that "it is his wish to be present and his spirit will be present" even if he was unable to attend.