FIFA President Sepp Blatter, speaking before Sunday's Confederations Cup final, announced the May 20 Stade de France match as part of a series of events to mark the organisation's 100th birthday next year.

In South America, there will be a match to celebrate the first World Cup staged in Montevideo, capital of twice winners Uruguay, in 1930.

There will also be an issue of commemorative stamps and coins and a series of other celebratory events throughout 2004.

French Football Federation president Claude Simonet, speaking after Blatter, sang the praises of France in its leading role in world football.

Pele, and former France midfielder Michel Platini, now on FIFA's executive committee, talked about the greatness of the game and their memories as players, and the Brazilian broke down in tears when he remembered his late father.

"My father used to teach me, saying you're going to be good player but more important is to be good person, so it's an honour to represent FIFA, the biggest family in the world," Pele said.

"It's a big responsibility, it's important to keep everyone together, black, white, poor, rich, it doesn't matter, and football can do that," he added, choking back the tears as he recalled his humble beginnings.

Both men recalled previous meetings between the two countries.

They include Pele's first World Cup at 17 in 1958, when he scored a hat-trick to help Brazil beat France in the semi-final in Sweden on the way to their first title, and France's win in the 1998 final at the Stade de France.