🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

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

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their team's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

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 upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

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

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.