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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their team's initial opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations 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 meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible 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 most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.