🔗 Share this article

Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their team's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.