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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to discover their national side's group stage opponents. However, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes 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 required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations 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 hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.