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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to discover their national side's initial opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

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

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. 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, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.