A star-studded concert will be held in Soweto later as excitement mounts ahead of the start of the World Cup.
With just a day to go to the first match, more than 30,000 people will pack the Orlando Stadium for the musical extravaganza.Millions more are expected to watch the World Cup Kick-Off Celebration globally.
Among the headline acts are Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys and the Soweto Gospel Choir.
Shakira will perform the official World Cup song, Waka Waka.
The concert is a precursor to Friday’s main event when the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg will play host to the opening ceremony, attended by Nelson Mandela.
The current President Jacob Zuma dedicated the first World Cup on African soil to the 91-year-old saying: “There are a few moments that define a nation’s history.
Stars gather at the Orlando Stadium ahead of the concert
“We stand on the threshold of one as we draw closer and closer to Friday.”
Football fans from across the world, including England, have already begun descending on South Africa.
Huddersfield Town supporter Matthew Castle, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said: “Seeing all these people and all this buzz is awesome. I can’t wait to get started.”
Those fans already in South Africa were given a taster on Wednesday of what to expect over the next few weeks.
The hosts play Mexico on Friday at 3pm in the opening match of the tournament.
England play the USA in their opener on Saturday evening.
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