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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, even though fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary 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 finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

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 Manchester City 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 incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 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 draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.