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Next summer's global tournament is finally starting to feel tangible. While supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker 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—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game 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 upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. However, 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 play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.