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Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.