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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem very real. While supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their national side's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and performances, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has 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 leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

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

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged 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 occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

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

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are lined up for a potential clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.