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Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half 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 World Cup 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 maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the last match 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. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. 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

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

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.