Haaland vs Mbappe, Fantasy Fixtures and YMCA: The Highlights from the FIFA Draw Ceremony

Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group 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 strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to discover their team's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, 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 winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.