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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to discover their national side's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup 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 initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

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

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.