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The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

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