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

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their national side's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going 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 initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

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

Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way 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 four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.