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Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil 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 Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa 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 most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely 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.