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Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem tangible. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to find out their team's group stage fixtures. However, even though supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion 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 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 Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes 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 round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.