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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to discover their national side's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

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

Another eye-catching fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names 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 reach the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait 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 France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.