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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

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

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

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