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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. However, even though fans are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

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

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. 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 Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.