Fifa World Cup

Every 4 years something spectacular happens. No, there isn’t an eclipse and no, the sky does not fall. Something much greater, and exciting happens. The Fifa World Cup. 640 players, 32 teams, 8 groups, 4 rounds, 1 champ. Every 4 years the entire world stops what they are doing to sit down and watch a soccer ball move from side to side on a beautifully groomed pitch. Other than the Olympics, the World Cup is where countries drop their world issues, and play the beautiful game of futbol. Although we all probably haven’t played soccer ourselves, I assure you watching the World Cup couldn’t be more gripping. Across the globe, 32 teams are assembled consisting of around 20 players on the roster. Coaches are expected to select the most prestigious players to create an elite team ready to face the world. As long as the player is a citizen of the country, they are permitted to step on the pitch and wear their country’s colors. No matter how “bad” your country is at soccer, you will never turn down an offer to play. It is considered to be one of the biggest privileges to be asked to play soccer representing your country. Everyone takes pride in their nation and never thinks twice about putting on their country’s jerseys. There are 11 players on both teams on the pitch at a time. That includes the goalie, defense, midfield, and forwards. The player with a different color arm band on his bicep is the captain of the team and is regarded as the best leader within that country. Because of the long matches (90 min), each team is allowed 3 substitutions. Most teams sub out a player towards the end of the game to add a spark in their attack. There is much strategy to using substitutions. Because there are only 32 teams allowed into the World Cup, the teams must go through a qualification process. Every country that has put together a team will play a round-robin tournament. The top 32 teams are then permitted to play in the World Cup. Deciding where the Fifa World Cup is going to be held is a very extensive process. Each country must select a representative or representatives to travel to a universally easy location. It is usually held somewhere in Europe. The placement of the World Cup is said to have alternated from the Americas and Europe. There is a bidding process that all contending countries go through. A certified Fifa member then proceeds to inspect the host country to make sure it fits the criteria needed to becoming the host. Fifa executive committee then takes a vote on it and decides where to hold the World Cup. The fans across the world are what make this tournament so intense. Fans flee their home countries to go across the entire globe to cheer their country on. Painting their bodies, wearing flags, playing drums. Each country’s fans take everything personal and will do anything to prove their country is better than another one.