Haaland vs Mbappe, Dream Match-ups and The Village People: Key Moments from the FIFA Draw Ceremony
Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.
Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.
The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever
Many people logged on keen to discover their national side's initial fixtures. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.
Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.
Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.
Moving On to the Football Itself...
The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.
There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game 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 Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.
A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off
Phenomenal striker Norway's star 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 nation to their first appearance since 1998.
Hardly any have managed to rival the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.
This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.
We Meet Again
Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.
Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.
Dream Ties for the First-Timers
Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and South American champions.
In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, 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, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.
And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?
Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.
On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.
Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.