🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams 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. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping 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 upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion 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 round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.