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The opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup got under way Friday in Johannesburg ahead of the first game of the world's greatest sporting spectacle between South Africa and Mexico.

A global audience of hundreds of millions is expected to watch the match from Soccer City stadium, which kicks off at 4 p.m. local time (2 p.m. GMT).

The big kick-off was preceded by a spectacular ceremony inside the impressive 94,000-capacity arena where fans were treated to a dazzling array of dancers in traditional tribal costumes, as well as music from performers such as Grammy winner R Kelly, South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela and Nigerian star Femi Kuti.

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"I've heard so many great stories about Africa. To be here in this way, performing at the World Cup, there's just no words for this," Kelly told FIFA.com. "Any time you get the chance to be part of something this big and historical, it's definitely very special."

Fans making their way to the stadium on Friday were dressed in the yellow jersey of the South African team and carrying vuvuzelas -- a plastic horn favored by South African football fans -- and the country's post-apartheid rainbow flag.

Many displayed homemade banners, one reading: "49 million South Africans vs. 11 Mexicans." Another said: "I believe we can win the World Cup! Because this is a country of possibilities."

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The month-long tournament, which takes place every four years, marks the World Cup's first visit to the continent of Africa in its 80-year-history. Ten venues around the country will host 64 matches, culminating in the final on July 11 at Soccer City.

Thirty-two teams are taking part with world champions Italy defending the title they won in Germany four years ago. European champions Spain and five-times winners Brazil are considered the favorites. As well as the hosts, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria are carrying African hopes.

Stars players such as the current world footballer of the year Lionel Messi of Argentina, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil's Kaka and England's Wayne Rooney are hoping to follow in the footsteps of former legends such as Pele and Diego Maradona by writing their names into World Cup history.

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South Africa's team -- who rank just 83rd in the world -- face a massive challenge if they are to avoid becoming the first host nation to be eliminated in the first round. South Africa have won just one match in their two previous appearances at the World Cup.

After Mexico, they also face France and Uruguay, who play each other later Friday in Cape Town. The top two teams from each of eight four-team groups advance to a knockout round of 16.

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But star midfielder Steven Pienaar said the "Bafana Bafana" -- the South Africans' nickname -- would strive to make their supporters proud.

"We have a big game against Mexico, that is all that is on my mind now. Our dreams have to come true," Pienaar told FIFA.com. "We have been waiting for this game."

CNN's Pedro Pinto said the South Africans, coached by Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira, could draw inspiration from previous impressive performances by African sides in World Cup opening games.

In 1990 Cameroon shocked world champions Argentina and Senegal matched that feat against France in 2002.

The tournament could be the loudest World Cup ever due to South African fans' habit of turning up to matches with vuvuzelas -- a plastic horn which has atttracted criticism from some players and officials because of its ear-splitting noise levels.

"I can only imagine the sound that will erupt if South Africa score. It will be crazy," said Pinto in Johannesburg.

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South African President Jacob Zuma and Archbishop Desmond Tutu will attend the opening match but former South African president Nelson Mandela will be missing after the death of his great-grandchild in a car crash early Friday.

Zenani Mandela, 13, died while returning home from a World Cup kick-off concert in Soweto. In the circumstances it would be "inappropriate" for the 91-year-old to attend, said the Mandela Foundation's Sello Hatang.

Mandela, an icon of black South Africans' struggle against white rule, played a key role in bringing the World Cup to South Africa and FIFA President Sepp Blatter said he would be "be with us in spirit."

"The entire football family mourns with you and your family, and today we stand by their side," Blatter wrote in a letter to Mandela.

The World Cup is the world's biggest sporting event with FIFA, football's governing body, predicting a cumulative TV audience for the tournament of more than 26 billion viewers.

Just seven countries have won the World Cup, which was first staged in Uruguay in 1930. Brazil have won five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002); Italy four times (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006); Germany (as West Germany) three times (1954, 1974, 1990); Argentina twice (1978, 1986), and England (1966) and France (1998) once each.