Mbappe vs Haaland, Dream Match-ups and The Village People: The Highlights from the FIFA Draw Ceremony

Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony 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 clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour 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 star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar'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—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders 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 four-time 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, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, 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 last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are set for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.