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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their team's initial fixtures. However, even though supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, 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 countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's 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 slightly diluted in overall strength.

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

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Together 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 clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

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

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.