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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. While supporters 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 performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's 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 somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. 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 Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

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

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 then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. 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 other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.