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Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. While supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their team's initial fixtures. However, even though supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way 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 multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

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

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.