🔗 Share this article

Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to discover their national side's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going 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 selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming 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 group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set 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 France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player 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 expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way 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 meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.