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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to discover their national side's initial fixtures. But, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. 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 Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

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

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

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

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, 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 La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner 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 big hitters 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 the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.