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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem tangible. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's group stage fixtures. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely 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.