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Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to discover their national side's group stage opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from 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 Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.