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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation 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 Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.