Haaland vs Mbappe, Fantasy Fixtures and YMCA: Key Moments from the World Cup Draw

The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. However, even though fans are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division 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 opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened 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 once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.