South African President Jacob Zuma took time out on his official visit to Brazil on Thursday to meet local football bodies and discuss the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup, the South African Press Association reported.

Zuma met with Paulista Football Federation president Marco Polo Del Nero and Brazil Football Federation vice president Jose Maria Marin ahead of the state visit hosted by President Lula da Silva, the presidency said in a statement.

Zuma and his hosts exchanged ideas on South Africa's preparations for hosting the 2010 tournament.

Zuma noted the "importance of sharing expertise on the hosting of such important games", as Brazil would be hosting the next FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.

Brazil had committed to helping South Africa ensure that 2010 was a successful world spectacle on behalf of Africa and the South.

During his visit, Zuma was also expected to meet with the Governor of Sao Paulo, Jose Serra, and to address a business roundtable where almost 100 South African and Brazilian business executives and members of the World Trade Centre Business Club would be participating.

He would then travel to Brasilia where he would hold talks with Da Silva.

The agenda included bilateral political, trade and economic ties, and possible trilateral co-operation between South Africa and Brazil in Africa and Latin America.