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

Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their team's initial opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

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 overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

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

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. 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 Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.