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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. While supporters can finally start 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 their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

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 was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. 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 official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

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

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for 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, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites 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 possible matchup between former champions 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 the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.