🔗 Share this article

Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. But, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.