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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, even though supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

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 new round of 32. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few 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 final round of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

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. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.