Haaland vs Mbappe, Dream Match-ups and YMCA: Key Moments from the World Cup Draw

The upcoming World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their team's initial opponents. But, even though fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed 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 the group stage. Together with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.