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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. However, even though fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

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

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures 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. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, 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 favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights 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 the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.