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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to find out their team's initial opponents. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

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

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are past winners, 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 multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top 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 Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.