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

Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to find out their team's initial fixtures. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process 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.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations 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 fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar'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.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them 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 four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through 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 past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.