The FIFA World Cup, or simply The World Cup, is the biggest sporting event on the planet, bar none. The 2006 World Cup in Germany was viewed by a cumulative TV audience of 26.29 billion. It was aired on 376 channels, across 214 countries.
The World Cup is organized every 4 years, in a different country, by FIFA, since the first World Cup in 1930, in Uruguay (With the exception of 1942 and 1946, the World War II years).
This year, 32 teams have been selected after a qualifying tournament that lasted for almost 2 years. The tournament proper is in South Africa this year, from 11th June to 11th July. The hosts South Africa will kick off against Mexico and most neutrals will hope that Brazil will play Spain in the final on the 11th of July.
Brazil are the most successful country, having won it 5 times, more than anybody else. Italy is second with 4 and Germany 3rd with 3. Brazil remain the only country to have won the World Cup outside their own continent, and also the only country to have played in every world cup tournament.
Spain are the form team of the tournament. In the last 2 years or so they have lost just one game - a semi-final against the USA in the Confederations Cup in 2009. They are the Euro 2008 winners and have a stylish approach to the game.
This year, the focus will be on Africa, as no African team has ever reached the semifinal. Cameroon came close but were knocked out by England in 1990 in a close quarterfinal. Roger Milla was one of the stars of that world cup. South Korea became the first Asian nation to reach the Semi-Finals at home, in 2002, although they were lucky with refereeing decisions against Spain and Italy in previous rounds.
In the first world cup, in 1930, only 13 teams participated. There was no qualification. 9 of the 13 teams were from the Americas (including US and Mexico). Belgium, ROmania, Yugoslavia and France were the only European countries. The Romanians, French and Belgian teams all travelled to the world cup on one ship, which also stopped to pick up the Brazilians!
Actually, only 7 countries have ever won the world cup. Of these, England (1966), Uruguay (1930) and France (1998) have only won the cup when it was played at home. Argentina have also won once at home (1978).
The Brazilian team of 1970 is considered by many to be the greatest team ever. Their fourth goal against Italy in the 1970 finals is often cited as the greatest ever goal. Germany are the team that is revered for its ability to come back against the odds and win when they are not expected to. Holland and Spain have been continuous underachievers - promising much but winning nothing.
This years tournament promises to be one of the best ever, with a number of countries in good form and almost all the great players raring to go. Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka, Rooney, Drogba and Torres will all be at the world cup, as will Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Van Persie, Vidic, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Kun Aguerro.
