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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. But, despite the fact fans are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving 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. Yet, 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 most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition 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.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time 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—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, 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 benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, 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 be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.