"FIFA has invited more teams than ever for a World Cup priced largely for fans in the 1%. The process of figuring out which teams in the expanded 48-nation field will play where begins with Friday's draw at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan will appear in soccer's premier event for the first time when next year's tournament is played from June 11 to July 19 at 16 sites in the United States, Mexico and Canada."
"The world's top 11-ranked teams have all qualified, with No. 12 Italy among 22 nations competing in playoffs for the final six berths to be decided March 31. Led by captain Lionel Messi, who turns 39 during the tournament, Argentina seeks to become the first nation to win consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Messi will look to extend his record of 26 games played and enters with 13 career goals, three shy of Miroslav Klose's record."
FIFA has invited more teams than ever for a 48-nation World Cup with many tickets priced largely for fans in the 1%. The final draw takes place at the Kennedy Center, where red carpets were installed and officials assembled. Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan qualify for the first time. The world's top 11-ranked teams have all qualified, while 22 nations, including No. 12 Italy, compete in playoffs for six remaining berths. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, seeks back-to-back World Cups and Messi enters with 26 games played and 13 goals, three shy of Miroslav Klose's record. Matches will be at 11 NFL stadiums, three in Mexico and two in Canada, with temporary seating expansions and record attendance expected.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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