Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.
Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.
Many people tuned in eager to find out their team's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.
Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.
Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.
The upcoming tournament 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 somewhat weakened in quality.
There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.
Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, compelling contests remain.
Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.
Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.
This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.
El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.
Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.
Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions 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 Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.
The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.
If all the top teams progress from 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 former champions the Germans and France.
On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on 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 squeezing through the initial playoffs.
Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.
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