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The upcoming global tournament is at last beginning to seem tangible. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their team's initial opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. 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 Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. 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

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 former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

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