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Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to discover their national side's group stage opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous 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 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

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 population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights 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 other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.