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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in keen to discover their team's initial opponents. However, even though supporters are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia 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 next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth 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 group games. Together with Senegal, 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 go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, 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.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

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 past winners Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. Should Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.