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The upcoming global tournament is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to find out their team's initial opponents. However, even though fans are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. 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 go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. 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?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.