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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to discover their national side's initial fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.