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The upcoming World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way 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 take on multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion 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 heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.