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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

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

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. 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 kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.