🔗 Share this article

Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their team's initial opponents. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

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 former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, 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, meets title-holders Argentina 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?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to 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.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.