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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's group stage fixtures. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving 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 initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

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