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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their team's group stage fixtures. However, even though fans are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

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

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.