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| World Cup Draw 2018...Live in Russia! |
The long-awaited drawing of teams into groups for 2018 World Cup tournament in Russia is finally here. The most decorated international football fiesta is scheduled to take place from June 14 to July 15 next year in Russia. Today, we will get to know the eight groups for the first stage of the 2018 World Cup.
The 2018 World Cup Draw is taking place this afternoon in Moscow at State Kremlin Palace which has a capacity to hold 6000 spectators.
The event will start at 4pm Nigerian time. You can follow the live coverage of the proceedings of the 2018 World Cup Draw itself right here.
The preamble of FIFA World Cup Draw 2018:
A total of 32 teams will feature at the 2018 World Cup, 31 of them coming through a qualifying campaign and one (Russia) making it as host nation.
Those 32 teams will be split into four pots based on their current Fifa world rankings. Pot 1 will contain Russia and the highest-ranked seven teams. Pot 2 will feature the next best eight teams, and so on for Pots 3 and 4.
The draw will divide the 32 teams into eight groups of four from A to H. Each group will play three matches, before the top two countries advance to the second round. Russia will be in Group A as host nation.
The image below shows the 32 teams for the draw and their respective pot:
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are in pot four and are going to be drawn with highly ranked teams from pot one, two and three.
Who could Nigeria get in the draw?
Following the technique used in 2014 Draw and the FIFA rankings for October, 2017, it would be Germany, England and Costa Rica. There are other top teams in which the Super Eagles could be drawn to face in the group stage of the prestigious tournament. Another possible pairing is with Brazil, England, Sweden. Bookmark this page for live updates starting 4pm Nigerian time.
The show is live now. We'll update you below:
4:00pm
POT 4 A total of 32 teams will feature at the 2018 World Cup, 31 of them coming through a qualifying campaign and one (Russia) making it as host nation.
Those 32 teams will be split into four pots based on their current Fifa world rankings. Pot 1 will contain Russia and the highest-ranked seven teams. Pot 2 will feature the next best eight teams, and so on for Pots 3 and 4.
The draw will divide the 32 teams into eight groups of four from A to H. Each group will play three matches, before the top two countries advance to the second round. Russia will be in Group A as host nation.
The image below shows the 32 teams for the draw and their respective pot:
Who could Nigeria get in the draw?
Following the technique used in 2014 Draw and the FIFA rankings for October, 2017, it would be Germany, England and Costa Rica. There are other top teams in which the Super Eagles could be drawn to face in the group stage of the prestigious tournament. Another possible pairing is with Brazil, England, Sweden. Bookmark this page for live updates starting 4pm Nigerian time.
The show is live now. We'll update you below:
4:00pm
Vladimir Putin is on stage and he speaks "Russia has a passion for football and have had many outstanding players over many generations.
"The most coveted trophy will be won by the team showing the most resilience. I would like to wish success to all the teams and I call upon all loyal fans to come to Russia and enjoy the finals of 2018.
"Thank you to all the Russian people who have worked hard over the last seven years to bring us one step further to the final tournament. Thanks to all 11 Host Cities who are doing a tremendous job"
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| Putin exchange handshake with Infantino |
"How does it compare being the top scorer in the '86 World Cup to hosting this event?" asks one of the Russian hosts to Gary Lineker. In painfully articulated English, he replies:
"It will be very different. Football came naturally, I think I'd prefer to take a penalty in the World Cup final but I'll do my best."
Gordon Banks onstage!
Faces of football past are onstage in the Kremlin, accompanied by women dressed as Russian dolls. It looks... weird.
Banks, Diego Forlan, Diego Maradona, Laurent Blanc, Cafu, Carles Puyol and NOW IT'S GARY LINEKER - our holy leader. Take us to the draw, Gary.
3:33pm
First team out
Russia! What a surprise! It is of course not a surprise because it was planned they'd be first. And they're in A1! Also planned. They were in a red ball rather than a white.
3:33pm
First team out
Russia! What a surprise! It is of course not a surprise because it was planned they'd be first. And they're in A1! Also planned. They were in a red ball rather than a white.
Pot 1 teams
Portugal are in Group B, France in Group C, Argentina Group D, Brazil in Group E, Germany in Group F! That's interesting because...
Group F is the only group to have never produced a World Cup winner.
That leaves Belgium in Group G and Poland in Group H.
Nigeria have been paired with Argentina, Iceland and Croatia.
Australia have France, Peru and Denmark in Group C.
*in voice of ISS64 commentator* It's NIGERIA! Who are in Group D with Argentina. That's five games against Argentina in six World Cups for Nigeria... what an odd coincidence. Leo Messi has to take on Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria then if Argentina are to progress.
Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Groups
Who will make it to the knockout stage? Let's have your views in the comment section below.
Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Groups
Who will make it to the knockout stage? Let's have your views in the comment section below.
Joseph Etim
Joseph Etim (B. Tech) is a blogger, mobile web developer and a tutor with a zeal for positive effects.
Website: Pepetimsblog
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