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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to discover their team's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews 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 complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

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

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.