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

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their national side's initial fixtures. But, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

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

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

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 Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable group game will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

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 population 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 title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.