🔗 Share this article

The upcoming global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself 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 unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation 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 European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.