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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest 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 second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

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 thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming 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 really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

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