Mbappe vs Haaland, Fantasy Fixtures and YMCA: Key Moments from the World Cup Draw

Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with 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 less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

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

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.