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The upcoming global tournament is at last beginning to seem very real. While fans are now able to begin marking their calendars, the recent draw in Washington DC was not short of major talking points.

Well before the Village People took to the stage with their classic hit, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on keen to discover their national side's group stage opponents. However, despite the fact fans are used to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in history, with a record 48 teams and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being slightly diluted in quality.

There are hardly any fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also kicked off the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who shocked the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, 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 larger World Cup to qualify for the tournament for the first time. However, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a potential showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. 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.