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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their national side's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams 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 hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter 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 single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.