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Next summer's global tournament is at last starting to feel tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to discover their national side's initial fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, 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. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

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

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights 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 opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.