OTTAWA - Wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc, hockey icon Hayley Wickenheiser and former Canadian soccer stars Jason deVos and Kara Lang will assist at Saturday's Women's World Cup draw.

The draw at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., comes six months before the tournament kickoff.

Petitclerc and former Olympic champion speedskater Catriona Le May Doan will serve as joint masters of ceremonies at the draw, which will slot the 24 teams in groups.

"The contingent of MC's and draw assistants represent the best of Canada and pay homage to the significance of the upcoming competition," Victor Montagliani, president of the Canadian Soccer Association and chair of the tournament's National Organizing Committee, said in a statement Friday.

"We are honoured to welcome these great Canadians as leaders in Canadian and international sport."

The host Canadian team will be represented by captain Christine Sinclair, who organizers say "will welcome the world to Canada" along with Sarah Stapley, a 12-year-old from Whitby, Ont.

Talia Laroche, a 15-year-old from the West Ottawa Soccer Club, will carry out the official match ball — the adidas conext15. RCMP will bring in the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke and Tatjana Haenni, FIFA's deputy director of the competitions division and head of women's football, will oversee Saturday's draft.

The 24 teams will play 52 matches from June 6 to July 5 in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa and Moncton.