Haaland vs Mbappe, Dream Match-ups and The Village People: Key Moments from the FIFA Draw Ceremony
The upcoming World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.
Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.
The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever
Many people tuned in keen to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, even though supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.
Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.
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 selection then took 59 minutes to finish.
On to the Football Itself...
The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.
There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.
The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.
Two Prolific Scorers Face Off
Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.
Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.
This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.
We Meet Again
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 game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.
Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.
Fantasy Fixtures 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 time. But, standing in their way are past winners, 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 multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.
Jordan, after 40 years 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.
And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?
Assuming all the favorites 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 extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and France.
On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.
For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.
