Mbappe vs Haaland, Fantasy Fixtures and YMCA: Key Moments from the FIFA Draw Ceremony

The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to discover their team's initial opponents. However, despite the fact fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

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 somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.