The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.
Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.
Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, even though supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.
Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.
Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.
The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.
There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.
Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.
Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.
Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.
This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.
El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.
Another notable fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.
Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.
In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.
Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.
If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, 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 Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.
Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.
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