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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to discover their national side's initial fixtures. But, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed 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 Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights 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 other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.