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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. While fans can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Long before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people logged on keen to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few matches between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the only group fixture with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—drawn against less-fancied opponents—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in eight matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, will face defending champions La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.