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

Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in keen to discover their team's initial opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation 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 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.