Costa do Sauípe in Salvador hosted the Final Draw of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. It was conducted by FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke, who was assisted by the representatives of the 8 World Cup winners - Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro, Alcides Ghiggia, Fernando Hierro, Sir Geoff Hurst, Mario Kempes, Lothar Matthaus and Zinedine Zidane.
The likes of Mata, Vicente del Bosque, legends Ronaldo, Bebeto and Pele also graced the stage in between performances and a Brazilian culture.
The mascot of the 2014 World Cup was also introduced, an armadillo named Fuleco - which means a mixture of football and ecology.
GROUP A
Brazil
Croatia
Mexico
Cameroon
GROUP B
Spain
Netherlands
Chile
Australia
GROUP C
Colombia
Greece
Côte d’Ivoire
Japan
GROUP D
Uruguay
Costa Rica
England
Italy
GROUP E
Switzerland
Ecuador
France
Honduras
GROUP F
Argentina
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Iran
Nigeria
GROUP G
Germany
Portugal
Ghana
USA
GROUP H
Belgium
Algeria
Russia
Korea Republic
This draw showed more than one 'group of death'. According to FIFA, Group B makes up the highly feared ‘group of death’ at the 20th FIFA World Cup™. However Group D and Group G could also be referred to as the 'group of death'.
It looks like there are 3 groups of death.
Obviously the opening match will feature hosts Brazil, who will take on Croatia on 12 June 2014 in Sao Paulo. The historic final will take place at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, on 13 July.
On a celebratory note, Germany, will become the first team to reach 100 World Cup matches when they play Portugal.
So I ask ...
Who will qualify in the group stages?
Who is your money on?
Who will win the 2014 FIFA World Cup?
I just hope it's not Spain again. My money's on the Netherlands, Germany or Brazil. However, I also expect the unexpected.
