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

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, observers were picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, even though supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by Robbie Williams 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.

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 took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of group games. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will face South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are lined up for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.