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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their team's initial fixtures. However, even though fans are used 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 countless 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 real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at 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 youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

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

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

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 population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.