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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, even though fans are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

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

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.