🔗 Share this article

Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to discover their national side's initial opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

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

A Familiar Foe

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

Another eye-catching fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

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

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.