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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

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

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, even though supporters are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against 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 net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. 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. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

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