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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to find out their team's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

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

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest 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 group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long 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 the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.