Managua (Nicaragua), Jan 3 (IANS): Nicaragua's rival in an upcoming qualification round for the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be chosen by lottery Jan 15.

The director of development at the Nicaraguan Football Federation (Fenifut), Mauricio Cruz, said Friday the lottery will be organised by the regional football body, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), and held in the US, reports Xinhua.

Nicaragua's rival in this first phase of qualifiers, to be held from March 23 to 31, could be Belize or a Caribbean team, Cruz said in a statement.

Fenifut has already hired Costa Rican coach Henry Duarte to lead the team through the initial elimination tournament.

"We hope that with the new coach the national team will be able to make it to the next round, and that the rival, no matter who it is, will be within Nicaragua's reach," said Cruz.

Russia will host the FIFA World Cup for the first time.