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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their team's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

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

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.