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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

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

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest 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 slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with 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. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation 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 former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.