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The upcoming global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to discover their team's initial opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's 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 perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. 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 most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

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

Another notable fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in 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 decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

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

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.