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The upcoming World Cup is finally beginning to seem tangible. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their team's initial opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving 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 first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few matches between the major nations. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the most significant on paper. That is the only group fixture 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 Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

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

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked 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 winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait 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 Germany and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.