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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

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

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact fans are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—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 get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled 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 the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites 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 extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.