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Next summer's World Cup is at last beginning to seem very real. Although supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. 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 Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

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. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable 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.