All eyes will fall on Costa Do Sauipe this Friday, the idyllic Brazilian resort and venue for the 2014 World Cup draw (start: 20:00, UAE time).
While the teams and their players sit nervously, hoping for a straightforward route to the knockout phases, the world waits in anticipation for mouthwatering ties.
Two teams the rest will want to avoid are hosts Brazil and holders Spain – and the UAE’s footballing fraternity boasts former representatives of both.
Dubai Sports City’s Director of Football Michel Salgado played for Spain back in 2006 in Germany, while Grafite, the Al Ahli striker, went to South Africa in 2010 with the Brazil team.
Both were present at the Dubai launch of adidas’ official World Cup ball – the Brazuca – on Wednesday and both will know just how the players feel as they wait for the draw to be made.
As a proud Spaniard, Salgado naturally believes La Roja are still the team to beat.
“For me, we are still the favourites until someone beats us,” the former Real Madrid right back told Sport360°.
“They are World champions and European champions and their qualifying campaign was amazing. Some things will change after the World Cup, there will be a change of generation, they know it.
“It’ll be the last time we’ll see some great players like Xavi or (Carles) Puyol – they have provided Spain something historical.
“I don’t know if they will win but we will enjoy them, the Spanish style. Whatever they do will be more than enough, they have given us the biggest moments of Spain’s history. There is nothing to be afraid of, they will try and win it but if they don’t then they’ll still be the best because what they have done in the past.”
Meanwhile, Al Ahli captain Grafite is hoping that Brazil are the team to dethrone the Spanish. Three years ago he was part of the squad eliminated by Holland at the quater-final stage, managing just six minutes on the pitch.
But that was “six minutes more than Luisao managed in 2002 and 2006”, the striker said, making a joking reference to the former Brazil defender and team-mate.
While a World Cup in Brazil is something iconic – the South Americans’ five tournament wins is a record – preparations for the showpiece have been overshadowed by negative publicity.
Whether it has been protests over the cost of the project or issues with rapidly constructed stadia, there have been many dark clouds looming.
Grafite believes, however, that only way to silence the dissent is for his homeland to put on a memorable show for the rest of the world.
“Everyone back home is really excited because we haven’t hosted it since 1950, a good 60 years,” the Brazilian said. “It will be a huge spectacle and so many people want to see the World Cup in Brazil because we have won the competition more times than anyone else. It would be great for us to go out and win a sixth.
“But hosting a World Cup and getting everything ready is very difficult, all the logistics involved make it really difficult. I just hope everything is done by the time it starts. We are a little afraid of that because there is a lot of work still left to do, we started a little late and a lot of investment has gone into it.
“There are people in Brazil who don’t want to see a World Cup and the only way to make the situation work is to put on a really good tournament.”
SPORT360’s 2014 WORLD CUP DREAM DRAW…
As football fans all over the planet gear up for Friday’s 2014 World Cup draw in Brazil, we thought we’d follow FIFA’s guidelines and pick out what could be a dream draw for the group stages.
Pairing plenty of rivals – old and new – and throwing in the odd group of death, few would complain about the outcome should the balls indeed come out in this order.
Group A
Brazil
Greece
South Korea
Algeria
The hosts probably wouldn’t complain, and for the good of the tournament we want them to go far. South Korea against Brazil would be very easy on the eye.
Group B
Argentina
Croatia
Cameroon
Japan
Anyone who remembers Italia ‘90 would relish an Argentina/Cameroon clash. Japan are a quality side while Croatia have pedigree. Tough group.
Group C
Colombia
Russia
Ivory Coast
Mexico
Colombia are dark horses and would fancy this. The Ivorians are among Africa’s best, Russia have ability despite low expectations. Mexico must do better.
Group D
Uruguay
Italy
Holland
Ghana
The first certifiable ‘group of death’. There’d be no love lost between Uruguay and Ghana after 2010. Every game would be an absolute cracker.
Group E
Spain
Portugal
Ecuador
Nigeria
Iberian rivals Spain and Portugal would provide some battle. Ecuador would be tough for anyone while Nigeria blow hot and cold. No guarantees.
Group F
Germany
England
Costa Rica
Australia
England versus Germany is always a classic battle. Also, the extension of an Anglo/Aussie sporting rivalry to the World Cup would be intriguing.
Group G
Belgium
France
Chile
Honduras
Belgium, France and Chile in the same section would provide superb entertainment and picking two from the three would be very difficult.
Group H
Switzerland
Bosnia
USA
Iran
The USA and Iran being in the same group would grab headlines, while the Swiss have players of Bosnian descent, which would certainly add a sub-plot.
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