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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. 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 most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

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

Hardly any have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning 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 occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait 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 the Germans and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.