I’m talking about the World Cup — and it is back!
If you only pay attention to soccer once every four years, you’re are not alone in this country. Don’t worry too much if you feel ill-prepared. Consider this your crash course for the upcoming smackdown of soccer nations.
WHEN, WHAT AND HOW?
The World Cup is a month long soccer (or “football” for the rest of the world) tournament that occurs every four years that’s been around since 1930. This year it takes place in several stadiums around Brazil from June 12 to July 13.
To get to the tournament, nations had to play in two years of qualifying play to become tops of their regions… yeah, you thought the NBA season was long!
The better the region, the more teams pass through. Europe got 13 and Asia got 4 to give you an idea. America won its North America/Caribbean/Central America region.
When it shakes down, 32 teams are in the World Cup!
OKAY OKAY – WHAT HAPPENS IN BRAZIL?
The 32 teams are split into 8 Groups named the super excitedly and easy to follow A through H. Typically, there are two really good teams per region, one sleeper and one ‘just glad we made it’ team. With four teams in each Group, teams play in a “Round Robin” style in the opening round. This means each team plays the other three teams in its Group once.
The top two teams from each Group then goes into a single-elmination bracket that you know and love.
WHAT ABOUT THE USA?
USA is … ummm…. screwed, is the technical analytical word. They are in the “Group of Death” with some heavy contenders: Germany, Ghana and Portugal. Adding to the rivalry are those last three teams who knocked the Yanks out of the past three World Cups.
Let’s be honest. The Americans are best lovable when they are underdogs.
SO WHY SHOULD I CARE?
Imagine the best college football Saturday party every day for two weeks followed by your favorite pro team in the Super Bowl/World Series/Finals every couple days for the rest of the month. That is the World Cup.
SO… WHO ARE THE TEAMS TO TALK ABOUT?
Brazil is always a major threat and has home field advantage so they are the favorites.
Spain has won the last three major tournaments, but no European team has won a World Cup in South America.
Germany and Italy are also heavy favorites.
Every team from South America is dangerous so expect good results from Chile, Uruguay, and, of course, Argentina.
Belgium and Switzerland have been under the radar great too. Just don’t look at Asia or North America for your sleeper picks.
HOW ABOUT THE PLAYERS?
Lionel Messi (pictured below) is one of the greatest soccer stars of all-time and plays for Argentina. He has the amazing nickname of Atomic Flea.
Neymar – yup…. Great Braziliian soccer players don’t need two names. He is the youngest of the upper three and still needs to prove himself. This year’s World Cup could be his.
Wayne Rooney (pictured below) – no player looks more British, acts more British and plays more British than Rooney. As he goes, so goes the Queen’s Army.
Clint Dempsey – the big name on the American squad.
ANY OTHER STORY LINES THAT I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
Sure.
The entire construction of the infrastructure is behind schedule and taking funds from social programs. Protests have been a thing.
Ahhh….. also, I guess there is the mascot Armadillo thing. He is kind of cool. Oh… there will be goalline technology in play to make sure referees know when a ball passes a line.
Brian Reddoch is a CraveOnline reporter and rabid fan of all teams Seattle. You can follow him on Twitter @ReddReddoch or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
