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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their team's initial fixtures. But, even though supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon'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 meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

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