The poster, designed by the Crama Agency, shows a map of Brazil between two players going after a ball.

"The official poster is an important step to showcase Brazil and the FIFA World Cup in the host country and abroad," said Ronaldo, a member of Brazil's 2002 World Cup winning side who is now part of the Organising Committee for 2014.

"It is important to convey the message of a country that is modern, innovative, sustainable, happy, united and, of course, passionate about football."


Twelve other posters, one for each host city, were also officially presented.

The artwork is designed to depict the beauty and diversity of Brazil through a colorful, emotional and vibrant design, officials explained.

The creative concept at the heart of the poster is "An entire country at football's service - Brazil and football: one shared identity," which inspired Crama to shape the winning design. 

The presentation was supposed to take place Monday (January 28), 500 days before the tournament is due to kickoff, but was delayed after the nightclub fire in Santa Maria killed 235 people.

The ceremony also saw Ronaldo, who scored 62 goals in 98 appearances for Brazil, unveiled as one of six ambassadors for the World Cup.


He was joined Amarildo, Bebeto, Carlos Alberto Torres, Marta and Mario Zagallo.

The ambassadors have the task of promoting the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, as well as the World Cup.

Though unable to attend the event, Zagallo, the first footballer to win the World Cup both as a manager and as a player, sent a video message.

"I was a soldier at the 1950 World Cup and today I've been promoted to ambassador," said Zagallo, who coached the famous Brazilian side who won the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

"Together we will be victorious."

A team-mate of Zagallo in Brazil's triumph at Chile 1962, Amarildo said he was very impressed by the Brazil 2014 Ambassador line-up:

"A team with so many stars would win the [World] Cup at a stroll," he said.

"They're all phenomenal."

Marta, winner FIFA World Player of the Year five consecutive times between 2006 and 2010, expressed similar sentiments:

"I've been in lots of other teams, but there's no doubt it's a tremendous honour to be part of a line-up packed full of stars and in support of something that I'm sure will be a success," she said.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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January 2013: Nightclub tragedy forces Brazil 2014 celebration event to be cancelled