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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to discover their team's initial opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country 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.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 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 fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.