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Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest 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 second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals 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 scheduled 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 the French superstar's France.

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

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, 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 decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should 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.