A spectacle greater than the average American soccer fan can comprehend, the World Cup final group drawings will grasp the attention of the entire world tomorrow in Cape Town. 32 nations may have qualified for the tournament next summer, but people in over 200 countries will be watching tomorrow, in anticipation and awe.
The 90 minute ceremony will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, and will be co-hosted by South African born actress, and Academy Award winner, Charlize Theron. As stunningly beautiful as Theron is, it is unlikely anyone's focus will be on her tomorrow as these drawings could determine how many teams will fair next summer. She will be joined by Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke.
The stage is set for an unforgettable event. With special appearances by soccer superstar David Beckham, South African President Jacob Zuma, and Nobel Peace Laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Frederick W. de Klerk, who received the prize alongside Nelson Mandela in 1993 for ending the Apartheid in South Africa, it is sure to be a wondrous night. Mandela himself is expected to address the world through a video message.
To put into perspective the capacity of this event, it is even more popular than the NFL Super Bowl itself. Remember, this is not the World Cup, it is simply the "selection show" for the actual tournament next summer. This event is expected to draw over 200 million viewers worldwide. Estimates on this past years Superbowl, the second most watched event in television history, said between 94 and 140 million people were watching worldwide.
With African inspired visual and musical displays, the night will be more of a performance than a meeting to determine World Cup groups. This may seem over the top, but it is exactly what the fans expect, and exactly what South African officials need to convince the world of their nations ability to host an excellent World Cup.
In between all the bright lights and loud music will be 32 teams waiting for and learning of their fate. Yesterday, the seedings were determined along with the four different pots that teams will be drawn from. A video will be shown on a big screen of how each nation qualified for the tournament. A reminder that their endeavors have only just begun.
With many South African cities riddled with crime, teams will not only be waiting to learn of their opponents but also where they will be playing their matches. 50 people are murdered per day in South Africa. Most teams will come with private security, and police activity will undoubtedly be increased. Games will be played in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Polokwane, Rustenburg, Mangaung, Durban, and Nelspruit.
The who's who of the international soccer world will join in Cape Town tomorrow for an incredible evening celebrating soccer across the world. Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato is as excited as anyone. "We cannot wait for Friday to arrive. It will be a wonderful show." With soccer and celebrity superstars in attendance, a show it will surely be.
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