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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, 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 international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites 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 past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.