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Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match 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 Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are past winners, European champions 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. Cape Verde, with a population 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 Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.