LISBON, April 11 (AFP) - Portugal and Real Madrid midfielder Luis Figo, who is expected to play a starring role in this year's World Cup finals, is to be named an ambassador for UNICEF.

Figo, named World Footballer of the Year in 2001, will be nominated in an official ceremony in Lisbon on Monday, the United Nations Children's Fund announced in a statement on Thursday.

UNICEF has reached an agreement with football's world governing body that this year's World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan will be dedicated to children around the world.