🔗 Share this article

Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to find out their national side's initial opponents. However, even though fans are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If 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 the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.