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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to discover their team's group stage fixtures. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest 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 group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, 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 decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.