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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 Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their team's initial opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. 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.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, 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 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 feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

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