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Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their national side's initial opponents. But, even though supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving 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 new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled 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 leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from 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 possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.