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Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their team's initial fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled 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 on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French 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 cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.