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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their national side's initial fixtures. However, even though fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's game against 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 Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

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

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.