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Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

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

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders 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 First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico 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 playoff match.