World Cup Fever grips everyone as Live Draw comes closer

World Cup Fever grips Cape Town, as the who's who of world football (minus the players - although the newly Mohican-ed 'Becks' is here!) arrive for the Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Australia will know who they meet in the group stages by around 8.30pm (6.30pm GMT / 5.30am+1) on 3 December (4 December in Australia).

New Zealand will also know their opponents at approimately 6:30-7:00am NZT.

There are two doorstop opportunities with Australian officials for media, whilst interviews with New Zealand's chairman, media officer and All Whites coach, will also be available, by arrangement.

World Cup 2010 Pre-Draw

4.00pm local time with Ben Buckley, FFA CEO

in the Lobby, One & Only Hotel, Cape Town (next to Aquarium), but contact to be made with Bonita Mercedes first.

New Zealand interviews to be arranged with Jamie Scott.

World Cup 2010 Post-Draw

10.00pm (approximately) local time for Australia media with Pim Verbeek, Head Coach.

New Zealand comments to be advised.

New Zealand Update

The New Zealand Football delegation touched down in South Africa this afternoon ready to learn the All Whites’ World Cup opposition at a star-studded final draw in Cape Town and work quickly to build a programme of preparation for next June’s finals.

On Wednesday, FIFA announced the seven seeded teams - based on FIFA world ranking - to join hosts South Africa in the main pot, and the make-up of each of the other pots from which eight groups of four teams will be randomly drawn as an estimated worldwide audience of 200 million in 200 nations waits with baited breath.

As seeds, Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Argentina, England and will be kept apart during the group stage, with one team drawn from each of the remaining three pots to complete their pools.

The only restrictions imposed of the draw are that no more than two Europeans teams, and no more than one nation from any other confederation can be drawn into the same group.

New Zealand was placed in pot B, alongside teams from Asia and Concacaf (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) – ruling out any possibility of a fans-choice match-up with Australia – with pot C comprised of the non-seeded African and South American nations and the remaining eight European qualifiers filling pot D.

All Whites assistant-coach Brian Turner and NZF Chairman Frank van Hattum were happy to get a little more clarity around the types of opposition (European, African or South American) the All Whites would face next June, but Turner says he and coach Ricki Herbert aren’t fazed by their pot or potential match-ups.

"There’s no real surprises in the draw," said Brian Turner, "in that there’s always some big names that miss being seeded and this time it’s France and Portugal, but the tournament is such that there are genuine contenders to win the World Cup in each of the pots."

"Whatever happens, we’re going to get three very tough teams, we could even draw three former World Cup winners, but we won’t be taking a backward step against anyone."

"The exciting thing is the All Whites will be at the world’s biggest sporting event with potential match-ups that will really excite all New Zealand sports fans."

Co-hosted by Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron, the glitzy event will boast football legends Franz Beckenbauer, Michel Platini, Eusebio, Luis Figo, Roger Milla, David Beckham, and Ruud Gullit among the guests as well as Ethiopian distance-runner Haile Gebrselassie, arch-bishop Desmond Tutu and former South African leader FW de Klerk.

The action continues immediately after the draw as teams clamber to book friendlies in the lead up to June’s main event.

NOTE: There is little doubts that newswires, websites, radio will also provide updates - such is the international interest. Major networks such as BBC, CNN and ESPN will also be showing the draw LIVE, while the New Zealand Herald website will likewise also be providing LIVE coverage, as will New Zealand's TVOne (FTA) and TVNZ on its Sports Extra channel, as well as SkySports2 channel (PayTV).