Mbappe vs Haaland, Dream Match-ups and YMCA: Key Moments from the World Cup Draw
The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.
Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.
The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever
Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.
After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.
This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.
Moving On to the Football Itself...
The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.
There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.
The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.
A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head
Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.
Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.
This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.
We Meet Again
El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.
Another notable group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.
Dream Ties for the Debutants
Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, 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 four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.
Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?
If all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.
On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.
For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.