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Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their team's initial fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

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

We Meet Again

Mexico 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 match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long 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 France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

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