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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their team's group stage opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

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 goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

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

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.