🔗 Share this article

The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring 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 easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of group games. 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 Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long 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 opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.