Haaland vs Mbappe, Dream Match-ups and The Village People: The Highlights from the World Cup Draw

Next summer's global tournament is at last 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.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to find out their team's initial fixtures. However, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in 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 on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.