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The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem tangible. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, even though supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe'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. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.