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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French 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 winning 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 occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, 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 Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.