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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. However, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

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

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. 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 decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi 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 last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.