World Cup 2018 Preliminary Draw Results: Qualifying Groups, Fixtures and More

FIFA has set the stage for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with Saturday's release of the preliminary draw. There were a total of 208 countries that signed up to participate in the worldwide event, including all national teams, though it has since been whittled down to 141. 

Host Russia gets an automatic berth as one of the 32 World Cup teams. The other 31 slots are available, and this is a critical juncture for all of the nations fighting for the right to claim the throne that is currently held by Germany. 

The qualifying groups provide the opening template for soccer's biggest event. It's enough to whet the appetite until the games begin. 

African Zone (5 World Cup Qualification Slots)

North, Central & Caribbean Zone (3.5 World Cup Qualification Slots)

Oceanian Zone (0.5 World Cup Qualification Slots)

South American Zone (4.5 World Cup Qualification Slots)

European Zone (14 World Cup Qualification Slots)

Groupings information via FIFA and Bleacher Report UK on Twitter

Analysis

With the groups set, countries know their path to the 2018 World Cup. 

The draw was very kind to the United States, which is going up against Trinidad and Tobago in Group C of the North, Central America & Caribbean Zone.

Bruce McGuire doesn't see any problems for Team USA trying to get through that part of the preliminary draw:

Of course, the United States was supposed to get past Jamaica in the Gold Cup semifinals on Wednesday only to be upended 2-1. Nothing is a given with America when it comes to this sport. 

One of the marquee matchups of the preliminary draw is Chile vs. Brazil. That could turn into a big problem for the Brazilian team for reasons noted by Fox Sports' Rob Stone:

Neymar will also miss Brazil's second matchup against Venezuela, though that one doesn't figure to present the same degree of difficulty as the matchup with Chile.

The 23-year-old superstar was suspended four matches after being given a red card for headbutting Jeison Murillo in Brazil's 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America. 

Stone also added that the Oceania draw is essentially going to be used as a patsy for South America in two years:

As for England, the Three Lions find themselves grouped with a local rival in Scotland. While the Tartan Army are hardly a powerhouse, they'll pose a stern test for the English in a set of fixtures sure to be among the most highly contested of the entire qualifying. Scotland manager Gordon Strachan expressed his excitement at the draw, per Sky Sports:

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"Just as the sun came out in Glasgow, it was pulled out of the hat that we’re going to play England," Strachan said. "There was a lot of delirious punters here, and I can see why. It’s a fantastic fixture that the whole of Scotland and England will be looking forward to."

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Germany's World Cup defense will start with a matchup against Northern Ireland in the European Zone Group C. Northern Ireland has been on the rise in the FIFA world rankings, currently sitting at 37th, but it would require a Herculean effort to pull off the upset in this spot. 

Speaking of the world rankings, Argentina currently sits atop that particular list and lost to Germany 1-0 in extra time at the 2014 World Cup finale. The Lionel Messi-led team will take on Ecuador to kick things off, but it's the showdown with Brazil featuring Neymar's return in the third match that stands out. 

The next 30 months or so will be huge for the sport and the countries that are hoping to climb to the top of the soccer mountain. There may be only faint glimmers of hope for some, but that's all you need sometimes.