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The upcoming global tournament is at last beginning to seem tangible. While supporters are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the Village People took to the stage 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 knockout stage promising a highly anticipated encounter between legends of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to discover their team's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and Fifa officials, plus countless montages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

Cue further commentary and entertainment, before the actual draw finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to finish.

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 slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, compelling contests remain.

Two Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Manchester City forward netted 16 goals in qualifying matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Hardly any have managed to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—but someone who has is set to face him in the last match of the group stage. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in on the global stage. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see France once more face Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder 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 larger World Cup to reach the finals for the first time. But, standing in their way are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face European champions and former champions Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be led by a 2006 World Cup winner against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

Assuming all the favorites progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Argentina and Ronaldo's side finishing top and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Samurai Blue or the Netherlands could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.