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

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

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 easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on 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 thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned 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

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.