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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their national side's initial fixtures. However, even though fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament 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 maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. 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 toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties 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. But, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half 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 depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable 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 historic World Cup playoff match.