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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

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

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side 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 clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned 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 decisive 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 time. But, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and France.

On the other side 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 clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.