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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem tangible. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to find out their team's initial opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, 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 interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary 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 finish.

Moving 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 first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

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, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are past winners, 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 multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.