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(CNN) — The 2010 World Cup in South Africa is under way with the home side taking on Mexico in the opening game of the world’s greatest sporting spectacle in Johannesburg.

A global audience of hundreds of millions is watching the match from Soccer City stadium with South Africa’s players carrying the hopes of the host nation on their shoulders.

A deafening drone sounded around the 94,000-capacity showpiece arena as home fans greeted the teams by blowing on vuvuzelas — the plastic horn that has become a symbol of South African football.

South African President Jacob Zuma, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and FIFA President Sepp Blatter were introduced to the two sides before kickoff.

Earlier, a spectacular tribal-themed opening ceremony featured a dazzling array of dancers in traditional costumes, as well as music from Grammy winner R Kelly.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was among other dignitaries in attendance but former president Nelson Mandela was absent following the death of his great-grandchild in a car crash early on Friday morning.

Fans were dressed in the yellow jersey of the South African team and carrying vuvuzelas and the country’s post-apartheid rainbow flag.

Mandela to miss World Cup ceremony

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.”

“We are all so excited. We woke up at 5 a.m. just to make sure we would get here in time but we only left at 7 because we were singing and dancing at home,” Hope Zini, who was first into the stadium, told FIFA.com.

“The World Cup is inside us. We are eating, sleeping and feeling it.”

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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.

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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.

To read more go to: http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/06/11/world.cup.opening.ceremony/index.html?hpt=C1

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