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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, even though supporters are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.