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The upcoming World Cup 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 Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to find out their national side's initial opponents. However, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations 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 very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will face South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.