The likely elongated and overly manufactured draw for the 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place on Friday afternoon, 5 pm UK time, from the Qatari capital Doha.
As was the case with 2021's delayed Euros, Chelsea will have heavy representation in the World Cup before Christmas in this year's unique winter version of the tournament.
By my count, with the inclusion of players who could still qualify with their nations through the play-offs, 19 names contracted to Chelsea might be in Qatar. There is some fudging there when we factor in names like Baba Rahman and Michy Batshuayi, two players who will likely be sold permanently after several loans.
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Given that this World Cup will temporarily halt the next Premier League season from mid-November to late December, Thomas Tuchel will be contending with many names away from Cobham, praying the level of strain is not too step by the time they return.
In what seems a little farcical, only eight days after the World Cup final in Qatar, the next set of Premier League fixtures will resume on the traditional Boxing Day schedule, potentially causing coaches to field weakened teams.
There is little clarity over how much of a break players involved in the tournament will get as they usually return to clubs later after the usual summer event, which means that at Chelsea, with many involved with top nations, those not involved will prove key to Tuchel at the end of 2022.
Let's take a look at the three winners and four losers from World Cup qualification for Tuchel.
WINNERS
Hakim Ziyech
In normal circumstances, Hakim Ziyech would be involved with his nation at the end of 2022, but following a public fallout with Morocco head coach Vahid Halilhodzic in September, Ziyech is likely to sit out the World Cup.
At the Club World Cup in February, Ziyech remained firm that the situation had not changed.
"I understand them, but I will not return to the Moroccan national team, and this is my final decision," Ziyech told ADSportsTV.
Ziyech has reached his best form in a Chelsea shirt so far in 2022, and Tuchel will be hoping that carries forward to next season when the winger will likely become a more prominent figure.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Thrown in with the caveat that Callum Hudson-Odoi could opt to represent Ghana instead of England, this situation could change.
But at the time of writing, Hudson-Odoi has struggled to regain an international spot under Gareth Southgate and return from injury to reclaim the positive form seen in earlier parts of the season.
Like Ziyech, Hudson-Odoi could benefit from other players absent during the winter period, vying to become first-choice on the left side of Chelsea's attack.
Armando Broja
With Albania flailing to qualify for the World Cup and Armando Broja excelling on loan for Southampton, the forward's return to Cobham this summer could allow for another exciting breakthrough next season.
There is still some speculation surrounding the striker's imminent future with the potential of Chelsea cashing in on the 20-year-old, who has netted six Premier League goals for Southampton this season.
Should he return as a new attacking option for Tuchel, Broja would remain fresh over the winter period to gain valuable minutes.
Jorginho
Like Broja, the future of Jorginho is in question ahead of this summer. With his agent Joao Santos regularly inferring the midfielder's desire to return to Serie A and his contract ending in 2023, this could be the summer to cash in.
But if Jorginho remains for next term, his seniority has been important for Tuchel in the dressing room, with the Italian ranking as the third most used player under the German with 62 appearances.
After Italy's shock play-off defeat to North Macedonia last week, Jorginho's attention will be on club matters in 2022/23.
LOSERS
Thiago Silva
The 37-year-old defensive legend was determined to make one more World Cup with Brazil, and he is firmly on course to do that, becoming a vital cog for Tuchel, making 35 appearances already this season.
But given he is in the twilight of his career and the intensity of Premier League and international competition, Chelsea will likely look to protect the defender on his return.
Even if Chelsea's options to rotate will aid Tuchel after the World Cup, few in the world can offer the wisdom and defensive instincts of Silva.
Mason Mount
The player used most by Tuchel at Chelsea, Mason Mount, has become an essential presence for the Blues and is set to make Gareth Southgate's England squad for Qatar too.
The sheer amount of minutes Mount has played for his club and nation despite being only 23-years-old speaks to his talent. However, that feat seemed to take its toll on the generational star at the beginning of this season, taking him a while to reach his best form.
Chelsea has struggled at times to replicate the energy and influence that Mount can provide when he's not in the team. Post the World Cup, and he will likely need some rest.
