Haaland vs Mbappe, Fantasy Fixtures and The Village People: Key Moments from the FIFA Draw Ceremony

Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to discover their national side's group stage opponents. However, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. 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 match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. 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 opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.