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

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's initial fixtures. However, even though supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour 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 new round of 32. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.