On his tour, the charismatic leader of the tournament’s local organizing committee (OC) put out the welcome mat for the more than one million international fans expected to attend the month-long soccer extravaganza taking place in 12 German cities, including Munich, Hamburg and Berlin.

Beckenbauer’s 50-day journey, the first of its kind by an organizing committee chief, covered a distance equivalent to three circumferences of the earth, the organizing committee said.

But according to Germany’s soccer "Kaiser" — a World Cup winner himself both as a player and in a coaching role — it has all been worth it.

"This welcome tour has cost much time and energy," Beckenbauer said, "but it has been one of the best ideas we have had."

"The response has been overwhelmingly positive," he added, noting that he had been greeted with warmth and enthusiasm wherever he traveled.

Twelve heads of state, five heads of government and one Crown Princess — Princess Takamado of Japan — greeted the jovial soccer great over the course of the tour.

Among the highlights of the tour was a private audience in the Vatican with Pope Benedict XVI, who revealed to Beckenbauer that he plans to watch many of the World Cup games on TV.

Later, in London, British leader Tony Blair received Beckenbauer and his delegation at his official residence at 10 Downing Street, prompting Beckenbauer to note that "the number ‘10’ has always been worn by soccer’s all time greats."

Beckenbauer also made a stop at New York City’s Gotham Hall, just a few miles down the road from Giants Stadium, where he once plied his trade for the New York Cosmos.

There, Beckenbauer promised the 7,000 American fans expected to travel to Germany for the tournament that the atmosphere will live up to the World Cup slogan: "A time to make friends."