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The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process 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 Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, 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 taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from 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 potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.