🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. However, even though supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

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. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

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

A Familiar Foe

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

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone 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 occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, 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 600,000, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

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