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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to discover their team's initial fixtures. But, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

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 required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, 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 feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, 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 Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams 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 possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are set for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

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