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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was full 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 promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their team's initial opponents. However, even though fans are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive 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 past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait 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 the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.