🔗 Share this article

The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving 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. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

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

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are former world champions, 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. 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, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.