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The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their national side's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with Croatia is the biggest 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 Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, 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 quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.