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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was full of major talking points.

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 forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in keen to discover their national side's group stage opponents. However, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, compelling contests remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has 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 drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France again come up against Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites progress from 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 potential tie between past winners 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 set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.