The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.
Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.
The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End
Many people logged on eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.
After performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.
This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.
Moving On to the Actual Football...
The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.
There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.
The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.
Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head
Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.
Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.
This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.
We Meet Again
Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.
Another notable group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.
Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants
Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.
In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet 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 decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.
And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?
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 potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.
On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.
Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.
