The beautiful Kazan is dressed in a colourful FIFA Confederations Cup look: everything in this 1,000-year-old ancient Russian city is ready for the biggest milestone so far ahead of the Tournament of Champions.
On Saturday 26 November, the Official Draw for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 will take place in Russia’s unofficial third capital. One day before the high-profile cast take the stage, set-up at the Kazan Tennis Academy, media had a chance to have a first glimpse of what to expect from the show.
“During the Preliminary Draw, we tried to explain that the dream of victory at the FIFA World Cup and the Confederations Cup 2017 starts here – in Russia,” Channel One’s director Felix Mikhailov said, who has worked on the show’s concept with FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for almost a year. “We’ll continue the same topic in Kazan. The ceremony will be hosted by Andrey Malakhov and Yana Churikova, two fantastic presenters. Also, you’ll be able to see how our World Cup mascot, Zabivaka, can dance,” the director of last year’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Draw in Saint Petersburg added.
Performing at the Draw Show will be also very special for Dina Garipova, a Russian singer born in Tatarstan. “It is especially exciting that such a high-level event will be staged in my native land,” Garipova said. “Tatarstan is known for its hospitality and I am sure that guests from all over the world will feel this here. I expect something really extraordinary.”
One particularly special element at the 3,300 square metre Draw Hall was the FIFA Confederations Cup Winners Trophy. Two-time winner Julio Baptista will be the trophy bearer.
“This tournament is very special for me”, said the 35-year-old Brazilian. “I had some of the best moments of my career in the Confederations Cup, including my first game with Brazil, in Japan, in 2001. It’s amazing to somehow be a part of this edition in Russia.”
The draw procedures were explained by FIFA Competitions and Events Chief Officer Colin Smith, who will conduct the Draw together with FIFA Deputy Secretary General for Football Zvonimir Boban.
“All the teams that Russia will host here next year have qualified for the FIFA Confederations Cup because they won a top-level international competition. When you bring together that much winning mentality into the same tournament, you can’t expect anything other than some great matches.”
Assisting the draw conductors will be two of Russia’s biggest sports icons. “It’s a great honor, responsibility and pleasure for me,” said two-time Olympic gold medallist Yelena Isinbaeva. “I love football and I believe these two upcoming major tournaments will help Russia to develop the sport.”
Former Russian football team captain Sergey Semak expressed his hopes that the host country will perform well at the tournament. “I want Russia to win, so I won’t be particularly happy if the draw is too hard for them. Still, it is important to show some decent play and to show that we are a successful host nation.”
A detailed look at some of the facts and figures around the Official Draw for the FIFA Confederations Cup can be found available in the related items.