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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their team's group stage opponents. But, even though fans are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament 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 maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way 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 meet multiple winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.