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The upcoming World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to find out their national side's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

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

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If 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 possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.