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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their national side's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to 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 finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.