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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their team's initial opponents. But, even though fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

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

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, 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 taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

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 meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.