( CNN ) -- Jacob Zuma insists the World Cup has already brought South Africa closer together , five days before the tournament begins . The South African president says football fervor has gripped the nation ahead of the opening on game on Friday , which sees South Africa take on Mexico at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg . And Zuma is hoping the month-long competition can have the same benefit for the nation as the Rugby World Cup did in 1995 . `` 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 ] , '' Zuma told a press conference . `` The explosion of national pride has been a priceless benefit . It 's clear that millions of our people look upon this tournament with hope , pride and sense of belonging . `` The South African flag has become the most popular item on the shopping list of South Africans and this augurs well for our nation-building . '' The build-up to the World Cup has been dominated by speculation that the host stadiums may not be completed in time , or that the necessary infrastructure may not be in place , but Zuma has declared the country ready to host one of the world 's biggest sporting events . `` We are truly pleased and humbled to host the world in our country for this historical and extraordinary event . South Africa is more than ready . For us the World Cup has already begun . '' Zuma and FIFA president Sepp Blatter also paid tribute to former South African president Nelson Mandela , and the role he played in securing Africa 's first World Cup . `` At this point it is proper for me to acknowledge and thank our founding president and icon , Nelson Mandela , for his visionary leadership and statesmanship , '' said Zuma . `` He also worked hard personally to bring us to this glorious moment . He would love to be there . Whether he will be there on the day depends entirely on the former president.. `` If he did not appear , we would understand . If he is there , it will be a bonus for this tournament . We wish he would be there . ''
South African president Jacob Zuma says the World Cup is uniting the nation . Zuma says the national pride on show is of ` ` priceless benefit '' The World Cup begins on Saturday when South African play Mexico . Zuma says he hopes former president Nelson Mandela will attend the World Cup .