Who is presenting and conducting the World Cup 2022 draw? Cafu and Ali Daei among big names

Doha’s Exhibition and Convention Centre will host the draw as the likes of France, Brazil, England and Argentina wait to learn their fate ahead of the tournament that takes place during November and December for the first time.

The draw will be the usual mix of bluster and unnecessary delays - but some eye-catching names will hold the fate of their competing countries in their hands when the balls are finally drawn out of the pots.

National World takes a look at which football legends will oversee the draw...

Cafu

Quite simply, Cafu is a World Cup legend.

With 142 appearances across a 16-year international career, he holds the record as the most-capped Brazilian player of all-time and has represented the World Cup’s most successful side at four separate tournaments.

The former Roma and Milan defender is the only man to have featured in three World Cup Finals - winning the tournament in 1994 and 2002, as well as being part of the Brazil side beaten by France in 1998.

Lothar Mattheus

Along with former Barcelona and Mexico defender Rafael Marquez, German legend Lothar Mattheus holds the record for the most World Cup appearances after featuring in tournaments in 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998.

Mattheus was one of the stars of the iconic Italia ‘90 tournament and played a lead role in helping West Germany lift the famous trophy with a narrow win over Argentina in the final.

Tim Cahill

Former Everton and Millwall star Tim Cahill is viewed as one of Australia’s greatest ever players.

The Sydney-born star made over a century of appearances for the Socceroos and became the first ever Australian to score a World Cup Finals goal when he netted twice in a 3-1 win against Japan in 2006.

Cahill also went on to feature for his country in the 2010, 2014 and 2018 tournaments before announcing his retirement from international football less than a year after their exit from the latter.

Jay-Jay Okocha

The man best known in England for bringing some style to Sam Allardyce’s workmanlike Boldon Wanderers, Jay-Jay Okocha made 73 appearances during a 13-year international career with Nigeria.

The classy attacking midfielder appeared for the Super Eagles at three separate World Cup Finals between 1994 and 2002 before retiring from international football in 2006.

Ali Daei

Iranian legend Daei became the first player to pass a century of international goals when he scored four times against Laos in a World Cup qualifier in November 2004.

An international world record of 109 goals remained in place until last September when Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace against the Republic of Ireland took him beyond Daei’s total.

But that does not take anything away from the achievements of the former Bayern Munich and Hertha BSC striker, who appeared for Iran in the World Cup Finals in 1998 and 2006.

Bora Milutinovic

Where to start on Bora Milutinovic? As a player, he represented the likes of Monaco and Partizan before embarking on an extraordinary managerial career.

The Serb’s roll of honour leading countries into World Cups reads as: Mexico (1986), Costa Rica (1990), USA (1994), Nigeria (1998) and China (2002).

He has also managed at international level with Honduras, Jamaica and Iraq.

Rabah Madjer

Former Algerian international Madjer enjoyed spells with Porto and Racing Paris during his playing career and forged a reptutation as a fearsome striker for his country.

Madjer featured for Algeria at the 1982 and 1986 World Cup Finals and scored his most memorable goal in a 2-1 win against West Germany in the former.

He has also had four separate spells as head coach of Algeria, although was not able to lead them into a World Cup Finals.

Adel Ahmed MalAllah

The only Qatari representative on this list, former defender MalAllah represented his country at both the 1984 FIFA World Youth Championships - where they were runners-up - and Summer Olympics.

Speaking recently, he said: “I’m thrilled to be a draw assistant in my home country, and proud of Qatar. A FIFA World Cup in our region is a dream come true for every Arab footballer and football fan.

“This generation will make history on the pitch and we cannot wait to welcome the world here in just a few months’ time.”