🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, even though supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are past winners, 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 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.