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Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their team's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced 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...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar'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 on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

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 thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, 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 benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for 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 four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.