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

Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their national side's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game 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 Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.