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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their national side's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest 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 Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned 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 decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

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

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, 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 quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.