FIFA has hailed the World Cup draw in Washington DC as a significant step towards the finals, although challenges lie ahead in the process. The looming presence of US President Donald Trump threatens to overshadow the event, reminiscent of his actions at the Ryder Cup previously.
Unlike the previous instance involving only two teams, this time, representatives from 48 teams will participate, despite six nations still vying for a spot in the tournament. Notably, Iran will not attend the draw at the ‘John F Kennedy Centre’ due to visa issues, with only a limited number of visas granted to qualified nations, excluding key figures like Mehdi Taj.
Efforts by Taj to seek intervention from FIFA President Gianni Infantino proved futile, leading to Iran’s decision to boycott the event, citing political influences. The draw itself will be overseen by Rio Ferdinand, with NFL figure Tom Brady assisting, offering participating teams insights into their groupings and opponents.
The unveiling of the full match schedule, including venues and kickoff times for all 104 games, will occur separately from the draw for the first time in World Cup history. This crucial information will be disclosed at 5pm (GMT) on Saturday, accompanied by appearances from “FIFA legends” alongside Infantino.
Teams like England, represented by Thomas Tuchel, will finally learn their match schedules and locations, highlighting a sense of anticipation marred by the complexity of the draw process. FIFA’s intention to keep the top four ranked teams apart until the semi-finals adds to the intrigue, portraying a challenging road ahead for all contenders.
The draw procedures, while intricate, aim to allocate group positions for teams methodically within predefined patterns based on their respective pots. The complexity of this system might be perplexing to many observers, possibly setting the stage for a contentious and unpredictable tournament.
As the World Cup approaches, the excitement and uncertainty build, promising a sporting spectacle filled with drama and surprises.