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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their national side's group stage opponents. But, even though fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened 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 sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone 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 qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.