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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to discover their national side's initial opponents. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, 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 go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game 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 outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from 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 Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.