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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup 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 initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites 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 possible matchup between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with 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 knockout fixture.