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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their national side's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 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 clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.