Lineker to host 2018 SWC draw

Zurich - FIFA has confirmed that former England forward Gary Lineker and Russian sports journalist Maria Komandnaya will present the 2018 Soccer World Cup draw in Moscow on Friday, December 1.

Lineker, a respected broadcaster for British networks, has been chosen for the State Kremlin Palace event despite often criticising FIFA to his 6.7 million followers on Twitter.

FIFA deputy secretary general Zvonimir Boban says Lineker's "honest and open views together with his in-depth knowledge of the game greatly enrich the world of football journalism."

Lineker won the Golden Boot as top scorer at the 1986 World Cup, and helped England reach the semifinals in 1990.

FIFA said Komandnaya has worked for Fox Sports for more than a decade as one of Russia's best known sports journalists.

Russia will host the 32-team World Cup from June 14-July 15 next year.