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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia 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 next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter 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 single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible 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 paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

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

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

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

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.