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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their team's initial opponents. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. 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 most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.