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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in keen to discover their team's initial opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

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

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

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

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders 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 Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.