Mbappe vs Haaland, Dream Match-ups and The Village People: The Highlights from the FIFA Draw Ceremony

The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.