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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest 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 very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names 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 qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

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

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.