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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, even though fans are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced 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 Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup 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 slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait 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 the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.