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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters are now able to begin marking their calendars, Friday's ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group took to the stage with YMCA, we were left analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage promising a highly anticipated meeting between legends of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to discover their team's initial fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this was extraordinary.

Following performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and interviews, it eventually appeared to get going nearly an hour later. Or so we thought.

This led to more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The selection then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the largest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. Yet, this expansion has perhaps led to the initial phase being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Germany—drawn against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Generational goalgetter Norway's star will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Hardly any have been able to come close to the youngster's ridiculous goalscoring feats—but someone who has is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Expect goals. Plenty of scoring.

We Meet Again

Mexico will take on South Africa in the first game—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the 2010 edition. That match, which finished 1-1, is best remembered for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another notable fixture will see the French again come up against Senegal, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a then-unknown player upstaged France's cast of star names to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan and Curacao have benefited from the larger World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet four-time winners Die Mannschaft. Cape Verde, with a population of around half a million, will face Euro winners and former champions Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets title-holders Argentina and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through 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 former champions Germany and the French.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible clash. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a game against 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 playoff match.