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Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to discover their national side's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.