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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to find out their national side's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

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

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest 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 Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone 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 qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

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 extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.