🔗 Share this article

The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning 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 time. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.