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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to discover their national side's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, 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 Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—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 Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

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