🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem very real. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and discussions, 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 finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of 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 qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

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

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.