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The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.