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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

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. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of group games. 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 net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders 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

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. 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 opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.