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Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

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

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

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 history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, 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. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, 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 meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan 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 top teams 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 extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

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