Brazil: 2014 World Cup poster unveiled

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Brazil unveiled its official poster for the 2014 World Cup at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.

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

More from GlobalPost: World Cup stadiums to be ready, but work remains

"The official poster is an important step to showcase Brazil and the FIFA World Cup in the host country and abroad," said retired soccer star Ronaldo, one of the three members on the World Cup's local organizing committee. "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 presented, according to NBC Sports.

FIFA's official release said:

"The artwork depicts the beauty and diversity of Brazil through a colorful, emotional and vibrant design. 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 (creative agency) Crama to shape the winning design. This is evident throughout the poster, particularly where the players‘ legs challenging for the ball reveal the map of Brazil."

The presentation was supposed to take place Monday, 500 days before the tournament kickoff, but was delayed after a nightclub fire in Santa Maria killed 235 people.