The wait is nearly over for England as this weekend they will find out their group stage opponents at the 2026 World Cup, Friday's draw in Washington DC promising glitz and glamour alongside a process for allocating 48 teams into 12 groups that may take more than a little explaining.
For Thomas Tuchel and his backroom staff, the key information will be the three teams drawn to join England, one of the 12 nations in Pot 1 and, more controversially, one of the top four seeds potentially being kept apart from each other until the latter stages.
The England head coach can begin his on-field planning for next summer, incorporating as well the teams he might like to face in friendlies in March and before the tournament itself.
For the FA, and England supporters, the final details needed for off-field organisation will come on Saturday when the venues for their three group stage games are finalised.
