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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their national side's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

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

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.