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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. 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 Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

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

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, 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 winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

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

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

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