🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

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

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side 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 initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. 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 tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

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

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.