(Long Island, NY) International sports. The Mecca of global domination. Sure, the Olympics are a great measuring stick for individual and team sports. The recent World Baseball Classic was also an interesting tournament. But the one sport that is played all throughout the planet is soccer. And the FIFA World Cup is the measuring stick for more than bragging rights. It is the Super Bowl and World Series rolled into one, and then some. The old saying, “Are you ready for some football?” has special meaning when referring to soccer’s greatest spectacle.
Starting on June 9th in Germany, the whole world will literally be watching. Athletes from countries in every continent will be matched up with one goal in mind. And that is to take home the 11 pound solid gold trophy that will be raised when the final match is completed.
32 teams spread out over eight groups. Will Brazil be crowned once again? Having won two of the last three titles, would anyone be surprised if the South American country did? Host country Germany will look to use their home field advantage to go after the prize. How will the United States fair? Being in the same group as Italy and the Czech Republic will be a tall order to advance.
Regardless of the outcome, the World Cup is always an exciting sporting event. Since its inception in 1930 at Uruguay when the hosts won the first championship, it is an event like no other in the world. Brazil has won the most titles with five, with Italy and West Germany/Germany second with three each. Every four years is an extreme build-up for the top soccer players around the globe to show what they have been playing for. A tournament that lasts one full month. And they all want to leave the field in triumph, to hoist the most sought-after sports championship trophy in the world. The action kicks off this week.
