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Next summer's global tournament is at last beginning to seem tangible. While supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on eager to find out their team's initial fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

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 new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in quality.

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

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping goal.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. Should the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.