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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

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

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been paired with 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 initial occasion in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. 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 larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.