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Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to discover their national side's initial opponents. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed 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 almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

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 Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

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

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.