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Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. 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 Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

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

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked 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 winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at 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 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long 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 France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.