FIFA World Cup 2014 draw in Brazil
The draw in the Brazilian beach resort of Costa do Sauipe was televised live in 193 countries. The opening game on June 12, 2014 will be Brazil against Croatia.
Brazil heads Group A
The glitzy draw - which took place in vast 10,000 capacity tent, with 4,000 accredited journalists, and countless delegations - featured acrobatic dancers, footballing legends, and blue and yellow armadillos.
Group A - Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
The opening match of 2014 World Cup, which traditionally features the hosts, will be also be a thorny task for Brazil - they face Croatia, before meeting Mexico and Cameroon, neither of which can be underestimated.
Group B - Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia
Group B features a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, where the holders Spain take on the Netherlands. Chile, meanwhile, are also one of South America's most dangerous teams. It's safe to say Australia will struggle to make much headway.
Group C - Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Even though it is arguably the weakest group in the tournament, Group C is nevertheless intriguing, with no clear favorite. Colombia enjoy home-continent advantage, Greece are always solid and awkward opponents, Ivory Coast are among the stronger African teams, and Japan have a slew of silky-skilled players.
Group D - Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
Three former champions, so is this the Group of Death? Perhaps it will be for arguably the World Cup's biggest historical underachievers, England. Italy and Uruguay have to go down as the favorites, but all the fixtures are likely to be passionate affairs.
Group E - Switzerland, Ecuador, Honduras, France
Switzerland's German coach Ottmar Hitzfeld might have been kissing his good luck charms when his side drew relatively weak Ecuador and Honduras from Pots 2 and 3 - but then France popped out of Pot 4. It's a mouthwatering cross-Alpine showdown, in any case.
Group F - Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria
The only newcomers Bosnia-Herzegovina are certainly being thrown in at the deep end, facing one of the giants of World Cup history in Argentina. Nigeria also have a strong side, while Iran are an enigma.
Group G - Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
It was the one fixture that Jürgen Klinsmann didn't want. The US coach and World Cup legend faces his old team Germany. Die Mannschaft are headed by his former number two, Joachim Löw. But they better not succumb to weepy nostalgia for the "Summer Fairy Tale" of 2006 - Portugal, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ghana, featuring Kevin-Prince Boateng, will give both teams plenty to think about.
Group H - Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea
Often celebrated as one of the hottest prospects of international football, Belgium's young guns remain an untested side in the major tournaments. Yet FIFA saw fit to seed them among the top group, and while they avoided the heavyweights, Russia, Algeria, and South Korea are all tough opponents. This group looks very open.
Draw overshadowed by accident
The draw build-up was dominated by news of stadium construction delays and anti-World Cup campaigners threatening public protest, following a recent accident at the arena in Sao Paolo.
The Brazuca Ball
A few days before the World Cup draw the ball for the tournament, the "Brazuca" was presented in a colorful ceremony.
Tribute to Nelson Mandela
The ceremony began with a special tribute to Nelson Mandela, former South African president and Nobel peace prize winner, who passed away on December 5. There was a minute's silence after FIFA President Sepp Blatter and paid tribute to one of the world's "great humanists."
Fuelco the armadillo
Fuelco is the official mascot for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
Pele - Brazil's national football hero
Pele was one of the star guests at the draw ceremony, as was 73-year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento, capped 92 times for Brazil from 1957 to 1971.