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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

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

Moving On to the Actual Football...

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

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

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