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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their team's initial opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed 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 star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face 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 most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face 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

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation 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 European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.