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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to find out their team's group stage fixtures. However, even though fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. 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 Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

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

What About the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams 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 really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.