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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage that includes a clash between football's top strikers and a playoff bracket promising a truly mouthwatering meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to discover their team's initial opponents. But, despite the fact fans are used to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams 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 hardly any matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

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

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the 2010 edition. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching 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 upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to reach 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 smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

What About the Knockout Stage?

Assuming 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 really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and the French.

On the other side of the draw, 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 Argentina and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.