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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in keen to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, even though supporters are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. 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 the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

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

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.