🔗 Share this article

The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their team's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' 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.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

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

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from 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 possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.