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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's initial fixtures. But, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

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

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with 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 in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

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 France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.