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

The upcoming World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to discover their national side's initial fixtures. But, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar'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. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.