🔗 Share this article

Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to find out their team's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact fans are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming 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 group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set 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 Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.