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The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. But, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged 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 reach the finals for the first occasion. However, 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 feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, 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 depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.