Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.
Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.
Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. But, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.
Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.
This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.
The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.
There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.
The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.
Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.
Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.
This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.
Mexico will face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.
Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.
Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.
In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.
The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.
Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.
On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.
For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.
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