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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to discover their national side's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming 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 initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

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, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, 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 last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.