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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

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

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, 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 Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste 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 Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 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 the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.