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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes 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 star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.