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The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their team's group stage fixtures. However, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

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

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged 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 finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If 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 past winners the Germans and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

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