Haaland vs Mbappe, Fantasy Fixtures and YMCA: Key Moments from the World Cup Draw
Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.
Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.
The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever
Many people logged on eager to find out their national side's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.
After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.
This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.
On to the Actual Football...
Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.
There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.
Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.
A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head
Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.
Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.
This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.
A Familiar Foe
El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.
Another notable group game will see France again come up against Senegal, 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
Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. 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 play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.
Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.
What About the Playoff Rounds?
If 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 really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and the French.
On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.
Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.
