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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, even though fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

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

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

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

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.