Haaland vs Mbappe, Fantasy Fixtures and The Village People: Key Moments 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 draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years 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.

What About the Knockout Stage?

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 extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and France.

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 set for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.