🔗 Share this article

The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their team's initial opponents. But, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.