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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's initial fixtures. But, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. 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, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.