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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

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 net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on 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 goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for 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 play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

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