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The upcoming global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

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 increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

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

Brazil 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.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie 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 the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

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