Watch World Cup 2010 Online

Latest news about Watch World Cup 2010 Online: South Africans poured onto jammed streets Friday to celebrate the arrival of the continent’s first World Cup, although the start of the tournament was marred by the death of Nelson Mandela’s teenaged great-granddaughter in a car crash.

The frail, 91-year-old former president pulled out of an expected appearance at the opening ceremony and first game between South Africa and Mexico at the brand new Soccer City stadium.

The death of 13-year-old Zenani Mandela, who was on her way home from a World Cup opening concert on the eve of the tournament, was met with shock. But it didn’t completely dampen the spirits of a nation proud and excited to be hosting the world’s most popular sporting event.

Jubilant and noisy celebrations were a distraction from huge traffic jams on the roads leading up to Soccer City, where South Africa was playing Mexico in the opening match later Friday.

Thousands of fans, some blowing vuvuzela trumpets and hanging out of car windows waving flags, streamed toward the stadium several hours before kickoff. Mexico fans wearing sombreros and wrestling masks mingled with South African ones, smiling and joking together and posing for photos. As the opening ceremony began two hours before kickoff, the stadium was filling as tens of thousands of fans tried to get in.

South African Air Force jets flew over the stadium in a synchronized display

The news of Zenani Mandela’s death in a car crash could not dampen the enthusiasm of South African football fans. She was killed on the way home from a World Cup concert in Soweto on Thursday night, where tens of thousands of people had sung and danced with headline music stars Shakira and the Black Eyed Peas.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation said the former president would not attend the World Cup opening ceremony and game, dashing South Africans’ hopes he would make a rare appearance.

Mandela and his family “are torn up by the passing away of the child,” foundation spokesman Sello Hatang said. Mandela would be at the ceremony in spirit, he added.

The former president’s ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and her two daughters, were at Soccer City. She was treated in hospital for shock hours earlier after being told of the death of Zenani.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter wrote to Mandela, describing the girl’s death as “unspeakably tragic.” Mandela will “be with us in spirit for which we are incredibly grateful,” Blatter said, calling him a “most precious friend.”

The male driver of the car involved in the one-car crash was charged with drunk driving, Johannesburg police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane said. The man could also face homicide charges, she said.

Police “found that he was drunk,” Mamonyane said. “He lost control of the vehicle and it collided with a barricade.”

Nelson Mandela has largely retired from public life although as of Thursday it had been anticipated he would make a brief appearance at Soccer City, depending on his health and the weather conditions.

Heavy security was evident in Johannesburg and in Soweto, near the Soccer City stadium where the opening match is being played. Armored personnel carriers were seen on the streets, with troops watching traffic and stopping cars.

Dignitaries attending the opening ceremony included U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Desmond Tutu. Fan zones were set up around Johannesburg to allow fans to watch the match on giant screens on a sunny autumn’s day.

France, the losing finalist in Germany four years ago, was playing two-time champion Uruguay in the other Group A match later Friday in Cape Town.

In Rustenburg, England and the United States were holding official practice sessions Friday about 24 hours before their opening match.

Diego Maradona’s Argentina squad was holding its final practice session at Ellis Park ahead of its opening Group B match on Saturday against Nigeria.