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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their team's initial opponents. However, even though supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, 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 around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

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. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana 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 goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, standing in their way 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 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders 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 Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal 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 progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.