Mbappe vs Haaland, Fantasy Fixtures and YMCA: The Highlights from the World Cup Draw

The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem tangible. While supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out 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 dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

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

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.