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Next summer's World Cup is at last starting to feel tangible. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the Village People performed with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to discover their team's group stage opponents. However, even though supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

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

Hardly any have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of group games. Together with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match—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 goal.

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

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

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 resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would require 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 Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.