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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, 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 initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

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

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.