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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.