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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem very real. Although fans can finally start marking their calendars, the recent draw in the US capital was not short of significant headlines.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a group stage that includes a clash between two of the world's best forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to discover their national side's initial opponents. But, even though fans are accustomed to these draws taking some time, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and Nicole Scherzinger, speeches from political leaders and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to get going almost 60 minutes later. Or so we thought.

This led to further commentary and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then took 59 minutes to complete.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest in 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 traditional powerhouses. The Three Lions' game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches remain.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City striker scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his country to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the 25-year-old's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and Spain's division will clash for the initial occasion in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, ending 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French once more face Senegal, who stunned the then-world champions back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first time. However, standing in their way are past winners, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a resident count of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions La Roja.

Jordan, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

If all the favorites make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where old rivals the Argentine and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would require both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. Should the Scots progress, Samurai Blue or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.