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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to find out their team's initial fixtures. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring 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 less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

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 eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao 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, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.