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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their national side's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet 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, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

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

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set 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 game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.