One lucky Central Florida kid will escort players at FIFA World Cup in Brazil

CENTRAL FLORIDA, Fla. — Central Florida McDonald's owner operators are giving young soccer enthusiasts in Central Florida the opportunity to meet their soccer heroes competing for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ title in Brazil this summer and also secure a $1,000 grant for a Central Florida soccer organization.

Kicking off today, McDonald's Player Escort sweepstakes gives 25 children across the country ages 6 to 10 the chance to travel to Brazil and walk hand-in-hand with some of the world's best soccer players as they take the field for a 2014 FIFA World Cup™ match. One lucky winner, along with their parent or guardian, will represent Central Florida and embark on a four-night, five-day trip to Brazil, with the first stop in Rio de Janeiro. The 25 McDonald's Player Escorts will lead players onto the field in one of four match cities – Rio de Janeiro, Natal, Manaus or Recife.  Parents or guardians in Central Florida can visitwww.McdOneGoal.com between now and April 6 to enter the sweepstakes.

Globally, McDonald's will send 1,408 children to Brazil to serve as Player Escorts and support their country's players during the month-long competition, which starts June 12 and culminates with the championship match on July 13. During their time in Brazil, Player Escorts and their parent or guardian will experience the thrilling atmosphere of the FIFA World Cup™ and the lively surrounding culture.

McDonald's Player Escort program began in 2002 at the FIFA World Cup™ in South Korea/Japan. Since that time, McDonald's has given more than 6,000 children from around the world the chance to lead a player into the stadium. Additionally, McDonald's has been a supporter of soccer at both the global and grassroots levels for more than 25 years. The Company has served as an Official Sponsor and the Official Restaurant of the FIFA World Cup™ since the United States Tournament in 1994, continuing for each FIFA World Cup™ through to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

WFTV