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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem very real. While supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their team's initial fixtures. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

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

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, 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 Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany 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 lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.