🔗 Share this article

The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to discover their national side's initial opponents. But, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

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 first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, interesting matches 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 Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway 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 international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

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?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait 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 the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.