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Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's initial opponents. But, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, 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.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites 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 really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.