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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. However, standing in their way 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 take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming 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 extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.