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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes 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 tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City 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 face him in the last match of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. 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 multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.