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Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to discover their national side's group stage opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

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

Another notable group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from 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 potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.