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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their team's initial opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour 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 maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.