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Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, 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 around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams 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 matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for 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 multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.