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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, even though fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game 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 weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland 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 country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway 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 face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone 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. But, awaiting them 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 take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.