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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible 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 the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. 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 reigning title-holders back in 2002. 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 expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.