🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to find out their team's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, 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 finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament 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 somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

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

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars 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 tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.