African champions Nigeria have been drawn in Group F to meet old foes Argentina, as well as Iran and Bosnia Herzegovina in the opening rounds of the 20th FIFA World Cup holding next year in Brazil.
The draws have just made in Costa do Sauipe in Bahia State, Brazil, attended by football heavyweights from around the world, including the Nigerian delegation of NFF President Aminu Maigari, Chief Coach Stephen Keshi and others.
Secretary General of FIFA Jérôme Valcke conducted the draws, assisted by some of the main icons of football history, representing the eight countries that have won the 19 editions of the World Cup to today: Sir Geoff Hurst, Mario Kempes, Fabio Cannavaro, Lothar Matthaus, Zinedine Zidane, Fernando Hierro, Cafu and Alcides Ghiggia.
Spiced with lively samba performances, the draws began with a tribute to iconic former South African President Nelson Mandela who passed away at the age of 95 yesterday night.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who graced the event, promised that this will be “the World Cups of all World Cups,” saying: “Brazil is in the heart of each and everyone of us. We’re very happy to welcome all the 32 teams.”
THE GROUPS
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
Honduras
France
Group F
Argentina
Iran
Nigeria
Bosnia Herzegovina
Group G
Germany
Ghana
USA
Portugal
Group H
Belgium
Algeria
Russia
Korea Republic
•Photo shows the Super Eagles.
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