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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket 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 eager to discover their team's group stage fixtures. However, even though fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

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 resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.