🔗 Share this article

Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. While supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their national side's initial fixtures. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times 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 set to face him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through 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 possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.