🔗 Share this article

Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their team's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

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 forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with 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. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

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 notable group game 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 upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

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

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face 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 Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.