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Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, even though supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from 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 former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.