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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes 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 first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, 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 Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

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