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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their national side's initial opponents. However, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages 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 real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests 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 striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face 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 Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.