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The upcoming World Cup is at last starting to feel very real. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Long before the Village People performed with their classic hit, observers were picking the bones out of a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in keen to discover their team's initial opponents. However, even though supporters are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the most significant 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 toughest group by official standings, while Germany—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against 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 international football. Expect net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 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 bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland progress, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.