🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together 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. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against 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 expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.