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The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People 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 playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. But, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with 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 Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, 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 go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

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

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.