This is the World Cup finals to 19 and will be the first such event held on the African continent.
Soccer City, Johannesburg Stadium with a capacity of 94 000 seat arena would be an opening ceremony followed by the South Africa match vs. Mexico at 2100 GMT.
Plan for the presence of former president Nelson Mandela became uncertain after one of his great-grandson died in a traffic accident early Friday morning.
Nelson Mandela Foundation said Zenani Mandela, 13 years old, died in a car accident while on his way home from pre-World Cup concert in Johannesburg.
He was one of nine great-grandchildren of the anti-apartheid leaders.
Mandela, 91 years old, is scheduled to present at the Soccer City but not until watching the World Cup opening match in 2010, remembering his family worried about her health condition.
Kick off the World Cup and the opening ceremony which will last 40 minutes at Soccer City began at 1900 hrs.
R'n'B star R Kelly, including one from 1581 artists will perform ahead of the host, South Africa vs Mexico 2100 hrs.
Television viewers from all corners of the earth for this tournament in more than 215 countries. Their numbers reach hundreds of millions of citizens.
South African President Jacob Zuma and Archbishop Desmond Tutu will also be present.