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Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem very real. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial fixtures. But, even though supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest 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 group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against 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. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.