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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

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

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

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 increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties 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 time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup 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 the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.