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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their team's group stage fixtures. However, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group 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

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon'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 round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and the French.

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

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.