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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

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

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—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 drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are past winners, 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 Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.