Here's What You Missed From the 2018 World Cup Draw

Dec 01, 2017 - 05:26 pm

Russian Football Union President Vitaly Mutko (L) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaking at a news conference ahead of the final draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Sergei Fadeichev/TASS

Retired English goalkeeper Gordon Banks, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, retired Brazilian forward Pele, and retired Argentinian striker Diego Maradona (L-R front) ahead of the draw Mikhail Metzel/TASS

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) Sergey Savostyanov / TASS

Russian cosmonauts kicked off the draw with a countdown from space Screenshot 1 Channel

A traditional Russian dance prior to the final draw Screenshot 1 Channel

Retired Argentinian striker Diego Maradona picks a ball from the pot Valery Sharifulin / TASS

Retired Spanish defender Carles Puyol selects a team Valery Sharifulin / TASS

The final groups for the 2018 World Cup in Russia MT

International soccer stars past and present hosted the World Cup draw at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow this evening to determine the groups for next summer’s tournament in Russia.

After opening with a news conference, the festivities featured a speech by President Vladimir Putin, performances by singers Alsou and Larisa Dolina and the main event: the draw presented by former English star player Gary Lineker and Russian journalist Maria Komandnaya.

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