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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their team's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving 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. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country 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 come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.