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The upcoming global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded 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, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.