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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their team's group stage fixtures. However, even though fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

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

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

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland 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 initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of group games. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

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

Fantasy Fixtures 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, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders 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 Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.