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The upcoming World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, 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 analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. 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 bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.