South Africa becomes the first African nation to host the world's most watched tournament from Friday.
"The enthusiasm, joy and excitement that has engulfed the entire nation in recent weeks has not been witnessed since President Nelson Mandela was released from prison (in 1990)," Zuma said at a press briefing.
"This explosion of national pride is a priceless benefit of the World Cup tournament."
Mandela led South Africa out of apartheid in 1994 but remains divided in many respects with most of the country's wealth still in the hands of the white minority and some communities still split along racial lines.
'NEVER SEEN'
"Building up to the tournament we have seen something that we have never seen before," he said, referring to thousands of people wearing shirts of the national side Bafana Bafana and flying flags from their cars and at homes.
His office will not confirm he will attend and some observers say he is not well enough to be at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium for the match between South Africa and Mexico.
"Firstly, I think we all know former president Mandela has aged and for any aged person the manner in which you carry yourself has changed," Zuma said, when asked if the Nobel Peace Prize winner would be there.
"That is a decision for President Mandela to make ... if he is there it will be a bonus for this tournament. Indeed, we wish he will be there."
