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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their team's group stage fixtures. But, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to 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 only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered 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 future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.