COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil (AFP) - World Cup organisers said they would pay homage to the memory of Nelson Mandela ahead of Friday's draw, Fifa president Sepp Blatter told AFP.

"We knew he was unwell and that he was going to die," Blatter said, revealing there would be a presentation showing Mandela holding the World Cup trophy during the event in his homeland in 2010.

"You will see what we shall show today, him with the World Cup in his hands. It's his happiest moment. A dream became reality when we gave the World Cup to South Africa," the head of football's governing body added.

"It's the South Africa World Cup coming here and Mandela is sending a message here to the entire world," Blatter added.

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