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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their team's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions 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. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker 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 incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, 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 taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. But, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led 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, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.