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The upcoming global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to find out their team's initial fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are used 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 Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

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

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old'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, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. 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 the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. 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 guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. Should Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.