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Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

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

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their national side's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

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

We Meet Again

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

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. However, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.