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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's 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 featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their team's group stage opponents. However, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with 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 Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming 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 extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would depend on 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. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.