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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

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 first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population 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 the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.