Danny Jordaan, South African chief executive of FIFA's 2010 local organizing committee, described the South African government 's decision to bestow the Order of OR to Hayatou as recognition of the role football plays in the development of the continent.

"Football is hope no matter how you look at it, you can ask the poorest of our people in this country about how they feel about the World Cup coming to South Africa. The answer will be one of happiness."

Six of the 32 teams competing in this year's World Cup are from the African continent. They are Algeria, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and hosts South Africa.

The rest are made up of teams from America, Europe and Asia.

"The performance of the African teams in this World Cup will be key to an argument for more African teams to be included in the future," Jordaan said.

【体坛英语资讯：African soccer chief expects continental team to win World Cup】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Sprinter Gay, swimmer Hoff win top US honours

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Kate Hudsons son excited seeing mom on TV

★ 体坛英语资讯：Ajax rout Excelsior to narrow gap with Eindhoven

★ 体坛英语资讯：Hingis dope tests may never be revealed

★ 体坛英语资讯：No problems after Ronaldo operation - surgeon

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Julianne Moores valentine to charity

★ 体坛英语资讯：China achieves best results on track and field

★ 体坛英语资讯：Fresh Wang leads short-track skaters

★ 体坛英语资讯：Ferrari denies crisis after Aussie flop

★ 体坛英语资讯：Harris says Yi will be all-star in NBA