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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to discover their national side's initial opponents. However, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

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

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation 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 La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.