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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in keen to find out their team's initial opponents. However, even though fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' 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 most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, 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 old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if Scotland are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.