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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked 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.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country 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 Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

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 other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.