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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin 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 star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming 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 possible matchup between former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.