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The upcoming global tournament is finally starting to feel very real. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their national side's group stage opponents. However, even though supporters are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's tournament will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

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

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time 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 sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. 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 Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.