🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem tangible. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, even though fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Expect 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 tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

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

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.