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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their team's initial fixtures. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

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

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. 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 meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.