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Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their team's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams 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 possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.