United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon has hailed the prospect of the first ever World Cup on African soil as a "triumph for humanity" which will generate hope among the world's poorer nations.

"South Africa hosting the World Cup is a triumph for humanity," Ban told reporters in Johannesburg, three days before the month-long tournament kicks off in the city.

"This is the pride of Africa, a beacon for people around the world, especially developing countries. This is the moment of dreams coming true," he told journalists before attending a charity gala dinner.

Hosts South Africa will take on Mexico in the opener on Friday at Johannesburg's Soccer City, a stone's throw from the Soweto township which was one of the mains battlegrounds of the fight against whites-only apartheid rule.

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