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

Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their national side's initial fixtures. But, even though supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, 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. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites 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 potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.