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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on keen to find out their national side's initial opponents. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a potential clash. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.