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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their team's group stage fixtures. However, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—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 La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars 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 finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from 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 the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should 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.