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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their team's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker 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—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

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

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.