🔗 Share this article Haaland vs Mbappe, Fantasy Fixtures and The Village People: Key Moments from the World Cup Draw Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines. Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game. The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever Many people tuned in eager to find out their team's initial opponents. But, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary. After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion. Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete. On to the Actual Football... The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality. There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10. Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain. Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998. Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's France. This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring. We Meet Again El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike. Another notable 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 future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal. Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions. In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja. Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas. What About the Knockout Stage? Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and France. On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds. Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. 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.