🔗 Share this article

The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their team's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant 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 next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament 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 meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.