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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder 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 expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, 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 Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.