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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to discover their national side's group stage opponents. However, even though supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against 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 initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, 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 take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If 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 former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.