FIFA has praised the World Cup draw held in Washington DC as a significant step towards the finals. However, the event seems fraught with potential challenges and obstacles.
Before the upcoming World Cup draw, concerns arise about the possible interference from US President Donald Trump, who has a history of making events about himself, as seen during the Ryder Cup in New York. Unlike previous events where only two teams had to contend with Trump’s presence, this time, representatives from 48 teams will participate, with six nations yet to secure a place in the tournament. Notably, Iran will not be present at the draw due to visa issues.
Iran’s Football Federation President, Mehdi Taj, was denied a visa along with other representatives, resulting in Iran considering a boycott, citing politicization of the event. Despite Taj’s appeal to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the visa situation remains unchanged.
The draw will be conducted by Rio Ferdinand, with NFL star Tom Brady as one of the assistants. Participating teams will learn their groupings and opponents, but detailed match schedules will be disclosed a day after the draw, breaking from tradition.
The full schedule unveiling will feature FIFA legends alongside Infantino at 5pm (GMT) on Saturday. This delay means teams will have to wait to plan strategically for their matches. The draw aims to keep the top four ranked teams separate until the semi-finals, with England among the favored teams.
FIFA’s allocation pattern for the draw positions teams from pots 2, 3, and 4 based on predefined criteria, adding complexity to the process. The intricacies of the draw have left many puzzled, hinting at potential challenges ahead for the tournament.
In conclusion, the World Cup draw signals the beginning of what could be a turbulent and unpredictable journey towards the finals.