Ronaldo confirmed as Preliminary Draw Assistant - RUSIA 2018
 |
| Getty Images |
The countdown to the Preliminary Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ is continuing, with just two weeks remaining until the big event, to be held at the Konstantin Palace in St Petersburg on Saturday 25 July.
The draw ceremony, which starts at 18.00 local time, will determine who plays who in the various qualifying competitions across the globe, with the fate of 141 teams from five confederations (the AFC’s member associations are not involved in the draw) being revealed.
The team lending their services at the draw is star-studded to say the least, with Ronaldo, a FIFA World Cup winner with Brazil at Korea/Japan 2002, the first to be revealed as a Draw Assistant.
“I took part in the (preliminary) draw four years ago and there are a lot of memories that come to my mind when I think about it,” said Ronaldo, A Seleção’s all-time leading goalscorer at the world finals, casting his mind back to the Final Draw for Brazil 2014.
“It’s a very special moment. There’s a lot of expectation for the teams, the fans and for the host nation. I can’t wait to be there and to see what happens.”
O Fenômeno, who is hoping to bring luck to his country, added: “Organising the World Cup is an opportunity for Russia to showcase its culture. I’m sure it will be a wonderful tournament, just like the previous ones.”
The other draw assistants will be announced in the coming days as we approach the Preliminary Draw.