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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to find out their national side's initial fixtures. However, even though fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

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

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites make it safely through 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 Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.