🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, 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 the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.