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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their team's initial opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue 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 finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions 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 weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple 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.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets 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 top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

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 possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.