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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While fans 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 Village People performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward 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 ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable group game will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet 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 decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.