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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches 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 Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. 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 meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

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 potential tie between former champions Germany and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.