🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to find out their team's initial opponents. But, even though fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If 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 extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.