Izuchukwu Okosi
Former Nigeria international Austin Jay Jay Okocha was among some eminent football legends that took part in proceedings at Friday evening’s 2022 FIFA World Cup draws in Doha, Prime Business Africa reports.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAfrican teams found out the teams that they will face at the mundial with Cameroon and Ghana particularly facing football heavyweights which could produce the next world champions.
A glittering draw show starred by some of the greatest names of the game and the entertainment industry defined the groups and initial fixtures of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
While 29 teams can now imagine their journey all the way to the final, the remaining eight will fight for the last three spots at the playoffs in June.
For the first time, to optimise specific match details for the benefit and comfort of supporters, teams and the media, the match schedule will be confirmed in due course on FIFA.com after games have been assigned to a stadium and kick-off time for each matchday.
Presented by award-winning actor Idris Elba and renowned sports broadcaster Reshmin Chowdhury, the show dazzled the audience with stunning references to the Arab culture and surprising acts that included the unveiling of the Official Mascot La’eeb and the launch of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack, with the first live performance of the single Hayya Hayya (Better Together) by Trinidad Cardona, Davido and Aisha.
The draw itself, attended by 2,000 guests and led by Carli Lloyd, Jermaine Jenas and Samantha Johnson, was assisted by the likes of Cafu (Brazil), Lothar Matthaus (Germany), Adel Ahmed MalAllah (Qatar), Ali Daei (IR Iran), Bora Milutinovic (Serbia/Mexico), Rabah Madjer (Algeria), Tim Cahill (Australia) and the aforementioned Okocha (Nigeria).
The 2022 FIFA World Cup will hold November 21 to December 18, 2022.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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