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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising 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 group stage opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

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 increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament 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 scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

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 net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights 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 old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.