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The upcoming World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament 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 perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, 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 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.