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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

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 clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, standing in their way 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 multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. 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 top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.