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

The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's initial opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. 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 official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against 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 on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. But, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners 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 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon'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 last 16 is where things could get really tasty, 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 last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.