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The upcoming World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. While supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group performed with their classic hit, observers were analyzing a group stage featuring a showdown between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Felt Like It May Never End

Numerous viewers logged on eager to find out their team's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. Yet, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the initial phase being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Face Off

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag 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 The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against 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 on the global stage. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The two teams also opened 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 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder outshone France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face Euro winners and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Playoff Rounds?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the big hitters to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, 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 last eight, where old rivals Messi and the Portuguese are set for a potential showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the probable last-32 tie. Should Scotland are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.