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The upcoming World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their team's initial opponents. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

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

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself 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 unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names 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 occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

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 resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.