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The upcoming global tournament is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to discover their national side's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 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 winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to collide. 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 opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. 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.