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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While supporters 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 performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their team's group stage fixtures. But, even though supporters are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes 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 first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

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

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

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

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

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

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes 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 last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.