In an official announcement, FIFA said that Argentina coach Jose Pekerman will miss the draw due to an injury problem and a family bereavement. He will be the only national team coach who will miss tonight's draw in Leipzig, Germany.

"I've been told that Pekerman has an injury to his hand, and we also understand there has been a death (in the family)," FIFA director of communications Markus Siegler told to the press.

Diego Maradona failed to respond to an invitation sent to him from FIFA, the governing body of World Football. "The invitation was made through the Argentina Football association. We can't do more than that. If he doesn't want to come, I personally regret it," FIFA's president Sepp Blatter told reporters.

The 31 other coaches confirmed that they will be attending the ceremony. Among the people who will participate will also be Germany's captain Michael Ballack, Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann and the president of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, Franz Beckenbauer.

Ukraine's striker Andriy Shevchenko will make an appeal for donations and support to the SOS Villages charity organisation. The draw is expected to be very popular across the globe, even to countries whose teams have not qualified for the World Cup Finals in Germany.

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