By Andrew Warshaw
July 14 – Brazil’s 2014 World Cup preparations may be the subject of constant criticism but the five-time world champions are setting up a galaxy of stars for the preliminary draw on July 30.
Altogether, 166 countries from five qualification zones – Africa, Asia, Europe, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and Oceania – will go into the hat, the exception being Brazil’s own South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) where the competition usually takes place on a round-robin basis.
Ten Brazilian players from different generations have been selected to assist FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke with the draw at the Marina da Gloria in each of the five regions.
Cafu, Brazil’s trophy-winning captain in 2002, and teenage sensation Neymar, almost certain to play his football in Europe next season after being linked with both Barcelona and Chelsea, will assist in the draw for Africa.
Asia will be handled by Zico, CONCACAF by both Mário Zagallo, a national institution, and rising star Fellipe Bastos, while Bebeto and Lucas Piazon will help make the draw for Oceania.
Adryan will be joined in making the European draw by Brazilian legend Ronaldo, who retired in February after a glittering club career matched by scoring 62 goals in 97 internationals for his country.
On the Wednesday before the draw, FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Valcke are scheduled to hold an eagerly awaited press conference, ostensibly about the 2014 World Cup but given even more interest in the wake of the recent FIFA presidential election and the ongoing investigation into bribery and corruption claims.
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