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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their team's initial opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with 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—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites progress from 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 potential tie between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.