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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their team's group stage fixtures. But, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

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

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

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams 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 the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.