Haaland vs Mbappe, Fantasy Fixtures and YMCA: The Highlights from the World Cup Draw

Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After 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.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with 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 toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

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

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

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 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.