Haaland vs Mbappe, Dream Match-ups and The Village People: Key Moments from the FIFA Draw Ceremony
The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.
Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the sport.
The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End
Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their national side's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.
Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.
This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.
On to the Football Itself...
Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.
There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.
The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.
Two Goal Machines Face Off
Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.
Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. 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 on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.
A Familiar Foe
El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.
Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.
Dream Ties for the Debutants
Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.
In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, 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 former champions Spain.
The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets 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 Selecao das Quinas.
What About the Knockout Stage?
If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie 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 the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.
For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.
