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

The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

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

Cue further commentary and entertainment, 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 Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.