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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem very real. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left analyzing a group stage that includes a showdown between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers tuned in eager to discover their national side's initial fixtures. However, even though fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After 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.

This led to more interviews and performances, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with Croatia is the biggest on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old'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, The Nordic side have been paired with the French superstar's France.

This means the top marksmen in the Premier League and Spain's division will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That match, ending 1-1, is most famous for a rasping goal.

Another notable group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that opening night, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Dream Ties for the Debutants

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a game against tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. And, if Scotland progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup playoff match.