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Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a knockout stage promising a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to find out their team's group stage opponents. But, despite the fact fans are used to these draws being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus numerous video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a record 48 teams and a new round of 32. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. 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 official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, interesting matches remain.

Two Goal Machines Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the youngster's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set 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 leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the 2010 edition. That game, ending 1-1, is best remembered for a rasping second-half strike.

Another notable group game will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player outshone France's cast of star names to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, awaiting them 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 four-time winners Germany. The island nation, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, meets title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The last 16 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and the French.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against co-hosts Mexico seems the probable last-32 tie. Should the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.