Jordaan, the chief executive of the organizing committee, was in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on Thursday, listening to youngsters say how the World Cup and the upcoming Football for Hope event will change their lives.

“We believe that football is a generator of hope,” Jordaan says.

“This World Cup is not only about the Messis, the Ronaldos, the Wayne Rooneys and all of these big stars that are coming ... there is another World Cup. The World Cup of Alexandra. A World Cup of hope, a World Cup of change, a World Cup of opportunity.”