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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem very real. While supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in keen to find out their national side's group stage fixtures. However, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners 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 require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely 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 knockout fixture.