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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in the US capital was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

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

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against 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 clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are past winners, 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 meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.