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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams 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.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's game against 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 less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

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

We Meet Again

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. 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 stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

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

The Middle Eastern side, 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 Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie 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 the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.