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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to find out their team's initial opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts 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 first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

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. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head 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 opening match—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 second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions 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 Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites 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 past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.