🔗 Share this article

Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture 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 future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

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 really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.