Miss NZ at World Cup draw

Christchurch Mail

DRAW: Magdalena Schoeman's status as Miss World New Zealand gets her into this weekend's World Cup draw in Cape Town.

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Magdalena Schoeman's status as Miss World New Zealand gets her into this weekend's World Cup draw in Cape Town where contestants join A-list celebrities Charlize Theron and David Beckham on football's red carpet.

The 112 Miss World contestants are among a crowd of around 3000 who will attend the draw at the Cape Town International Convention Centre where the 32 qualified teams will be split into eight groups of four for next year's tournament.

For Schoeman it's a return home as she was born in South Africa, moving to New Zealand in 1997 where her family settled in Christchurch.

The 19-year-old beauty therapist has been back in the republic for two weeks leading up to her own final in Johannesburg on December 12.

Contestants have already visited World Cup construction sites but they will be more in their own league at the glitzy draw where they will mix with the stars.

While Fifa remain tight-lipped about the guest list South African media have begun speculating with Theron among their certainties.

Theron won 2004 best actress for her serial killer role in Monster and gained a nomination the following year.

The Sunday Times reported sports stars likely to line the 65m red carpet are Springboks rugby captain John Smit, Ethiopian champion marathon runner Haile Gebrselassie and retired footballing greats Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi.

David Beckham has confirmed his attendance as he helps front England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Most of the coaches and captains of the qualified teams will be in attendance, perhaps even French skipper Thierry Henry who has been caught up in cheating claims following his team's controversial qualifying win over Ireland that included his hand ball in the leadup to the deciding goal.

There are suggestions that controversial Argentina coach, Diego Maradona - under a Fifa ban after his foul-mouthed tirade following his side's qualification for the finals - is planning to front up.

New Zealand officials at the draw will be NZF chairman Frank van Hattum, high performance manager Alex Chiet and All Whites assistant coach Brian Turner.

- © Fairfax NZ News