🔗 Share this article

The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem very real. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their national side's initial fixtures. However, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, 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 then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.