The FIFA World Cup draw in Washington DC is being hailed as a significant step towards the tournament finals. However, concerns loom over potential obstacles and complications on the journey ahead.
The looming presence of US President Donald Trump threatens to overshadow the event, reminiscent of his actions at the Ryder Cup in New York. Despite the participation of representatives from 48 teams, including six nations yet to secure a spot in the tournament, Iran will be conspicuously absent from the draw at the ‘John F Kennedy Centre’ due to visa issues.
Immigration authorities have only granted visas to a limited number of officials, excluding key figures like Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation. Taj’s appeal to FIFA President Gianni Infantino has gone unanswered, leading Iran to announce a boycott of the event, citing politicization.
Rio Ferdinand will oversee the draw, with NFL star Tom Brady among the supporting cast. The draw will reveal the groupings and opponents for the participating teams, but the detailed schedule of 104 matches, including venues and kick-off times, will only be disclosed 24 hours later.
FIFA plans to unveil the full schedule on Saturday at 5pm (GMT), accompanied by appearances from “FIFA legends.” This unveiling will provide crucial information for teams and managers like Thomas Tuchel, setting the stage for the upcoming tournament.
The draw process aims to keep the top four ranked teams separated until the semi-finals, with England among them. However, the complex allocation patterns for teams in pots 2, 3, and 4 add a layer of intricacy to the tournament structure, leaving many scratching their heads.
As anticipation builds for the tournament, uncertainties and challenges loom, hinting at a potentially tumultuous sporting spectacle ahead.