#OnlyOnTwitter: World Cup draw

Saturday, 7 December 2013

The journey to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil began today as nations, fans, players and reporters converged for the World Cup draw — to find out who would play in #Brazil2014. Twitter was the place to follow the news, join the worldwide conversation, and watch intense rivalries unfold.

1.7 million Tweets were sent about the World Cup draw today.

Before the draw began, the President of Brazil @DilmaBR engaged the country’s biggest stars, @ClaroRonaldo and @NeymarJr:

.@ClaroRonaldo, vc q já participou de 4 Copas, como é o nervosismo antes do sorteio dos grupos da @fifaworldcup_pt ? #SorteioCopa2014
— Dilma Rousseff ( @dilmabr) December 6, 2013

Todo mundo fica curioso, @dilmabr. É bom saber quem são os primeiros adversários. Ainda + com todos os campeões mundiais presentes
— Claro Ronaldo ( @ClaroRonaldo) December 6, 2013

Ah, @dilmabr, numa Copa não tem adversário fraco… Né, @ClaroRonaldo ??
— Neymar Júnior ( @neymarjr) December 6, 2013

Mas @neymarjr, jogar com a presença da torcida brasileira faz toda a diferença, não é verdade? #SorteioCopa2014
— Dilma Rousseff ( @dilmabr) December 6, 2013

Many sports journalists live-tweeted the announcement. This Tweet shows the complete field in one image:

Here is the World Cup Draw in full, all 8 Groups. #WCDraw pic.twitter.com/gsTosYw6I6
— ESPN FC ( @ESPNFC) December 6, 2013

The peak in conversation came at 12:17 pm EST when it was announced that the USA would join Germany, Ghana and Portugal in Group G. Twitter was abuzz with chatter about what many deem the most competitive group of the 2014 World Cup.

USA midfielder Michael Bradley took over the @USMNT team account using the hashtag #MB4. Bradley described Group G as the ‘group of death’.

#MB4 thoughts on the group: “Group of death.” #LetsDoThis
— U.S. Soccer ( @ussoccer) December 6, 2013

Meanwhile, USA goalie Tim Howard took over @ESPN for a #TimmyTakeover during the draw, and shared his thoughts on a rematch with Ghana, playing against Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano), and coach @J_Klinsmann facing his former team:

I like that we get to play Ghana. We get to set right the result from 4 years ago. #TimmyTakeover
— ESPN ( @espn) December 6, 2013

Playing Ronaldo is always a tough task. But when you want to be the best, you have to play the best. #TimmyTakeover
— ESPN ( @espn) December 6, 2013

It’s going to be absolutely epic when Jurgen is on our sideline while we play Germany. I can’t wait. #TimmyTakeover
— ESPN ( @espn) December 6, 2013

A message to Ghana, Germany, and Portugal: I always like to save. #TimmyTakeover https://t.co/TdEpeBqJ6M
— ESPN ( @espn) December 6, 2013

Mezut Ozil (@MesutOzil1088), playmaker for Germany, had a message for his Group G rivals:

Hey, Cristiano, Pepe and Coentrao: i am happy to see you in brazil
— Mesut Özil ( @MesutOzil1088) December 6, 2013

England also got a tough draw with Uruguay, Costa Rica and Italy in Group D. But England star @JackWilshere doesn’t seem too worried:

Tough group…but so what? If we want to win it we will have to play the best teams anyway!!
— Jack Wilshere ( @JackWilshere) December 6, 2013

The world’s highest paid player, Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11), picked a couple of matches to savour in the group stages of the tournament:

Tough looking group for England but some exciting games to look forward to… Portugal-Germany and Spain-Holland in particular
— Gareth Bale ( @GarethBale11) December 6, 2013

Sergio Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) of Argentina summed it all up with a reminder about what the competition means:

There’s no easy match on the world cup, but effort and hard work always gives rewards! C´mon Argentina!! #Brasil2014
— Sergio Aguero ( @aguerosergiokun) December 6, 2013

All of you who are devoted fans can prepare for the World Cup by following your favorite teams. Here’s a Twitter list to get you going.