🔗 Share this article

Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their team's initial opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

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

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.