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The upcoming global tournament is at last starting to feel very real. While fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People performed with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people logged on eager to find out their team's initial fixtures. But, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded 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, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner 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 big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.