World Cup kicks off... and now England expects

The event got underway at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg yesterday with a display by the South African Air Force and a group of drummers and dancers performing a Welcome to Africa song. There was even a gigantic beetle showing off its football skills before Grammy Award-winning R&B star R Kelly sang the ceremony's showpiece, Sign Of A Victory, with South Africa's Soweto Spiritual Singers.

One notable absentee, however, was the country's former president, Nelson Mandela, who pulled out following the death of his 13-year-old great-granddaughter Zenani in a car crash on Thursday.

In the first match, South Africa drew 1-1 with Mexico.

Thousands of travelling England supporters have made their way to the country while back home, hundreds flocked to Trafalgar Square in London for a day-long event to celebrate the start of the tournament.