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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to discover their national side's initial opponents. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed 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 star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.