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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their team's group stage fixtures. However, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

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

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned 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 winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top 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 Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.