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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. While supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their national side's initial opponents. However, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous montages and interviews, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this expansion has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side 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 international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.