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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. While supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to find out their national side's initial fixtures. But, even though fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries 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.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

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 quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the final round 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 Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. 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

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at 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 Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

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

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.