Story highlights
- Croatia's Brazilian-born Eduardo da Silva reportedly will sing both national anthems
- Group stage whittles teams down to 16, which then enter March Madness-style bracket
- Since 1930, World Cup has been held every four years except in 1942 and 1946
- Only eight teams have won Cup; Brazil has won five and now has home-field advantage
The World Cup is upon us, and for the next month, there will be a significant uptick in the number of folks skipping work, watching games in the break room and wildly mispronouncing Eastern European surnames.
Want to get in on the fun surrounding this quadrennial event that stokes the intensest of passions while doing considerable damage to some countries' gross domestic products for the month?
Here are some fun facts to get you started:
Let the games begin
The host country, Brazil, will kick off the action against Croatia at 4 p.m. ET Thursday in Sao Paulo. The Brazilian squad is a heavy favorite, but Croatia is no slouch, boasting several stars who play in Europe's top leagues. Keep an eye on one of them just before kickoff: forward Eduardo da Silva. Born in the slums outside Rio de Janeiro, he now plays for the Croatian national team, and his mother reportedly says he intends to sing both countries' national anthems.
64 games, like March Madness, but not
There is only one game on the first day of the Cup, but between Thursday and June 26, all 32 teams who qualified will play three games each in what is known as the group stage.
Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
The Oh-so beautiful game – At one time in our lives, we've all done it. A spur of the moment decision that will haunt us forever. Whether it's that snap decision to get you hair braided on a beach holiday, or buying those white cords that you're convinced will look great with your blue suede shoes. Bad style choices are a universal affliction, and one football is not immune to. As we prepare to celebrate the finest footballers on the planet at Brazil 2014, it's also an ideal time to recoil in horror at some of the more outrageous styles the tournament has thrown up in its 84-year history.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
Bobby's barnet – England's Bobby Charlton belonged to a different generation, when men were men and premature baldness was embraced -- even if it meant styling your hair into a combover at the age of 28. What remained of Charlton's flowing locks are weaved into English sporting history, with the powerhouse midfielder helping the country to achieve its only World Cup triumph on home soil in 1966.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
Who wears short shorts? – This is Socrates, the late Brazilian libero who oozed cool during his World Cup appearances in 1982 and 1986. An effortless star, he was part of a Brazil team which, although it never won the World Cup, enraptured spectators with its vibrant, captivating attacking play. That said, even Socrates, one of the slickest players to have ever laced up his boots, must have felt a tad insecure patrolling the midfield in shorts which are almost indecent by modern standards.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
Lalas' locks – The USA 1994 World Cup was a treasure trove of iconic football styles. The host nation was well represented by Alexi Lalas, a defender whose rugged tackles were matched by his disheveled long locks and wizard-like beard. But even Lalas' admirable shabby chic couldn't save the U.S. jersey...
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
Stonewashout – Someone at the United States Soccer Federation owes Marcelo Balboa a huge apology. Aside from failing to warn him that a mullet would date horrifically in the 20 years since this photograph was taken, it also forced him to pose wearing a combination of stonewash and giant white stars. While the World Cup was a new high for U.S. soccer, this jersey marked a nadir for football fashion.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
Carlos' curls – When it comes to hairstyles, no footballer has ever done more for the popularity of the afro than Carlos Valderrama. The elegant playmaker appeared for Colombia at three World Cups (in 1990, 1994 and 1998) and made over 100 appearances for his country, but he will forever be remembered for the nest of peroxide blonde curls which sat atop his moustachioed face.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
Terrifying Trifon – After missing out to Michael J. Fox for the lead role in the 1985 movie Teen Wolf, Bulgarian Trifon Ivanov was forced to pursue a career in football. Luckily for the defender, it all worked out for the best as he formed a vital part of the Bulgaria team which shocked the world to reach the semifinals of USA '94. An international centre-back for 10 years, Ivanov was a fearsome opponent -- especially during a full moon.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
'The Divine Ponytail' – Roberto Baggio's Jedi-inspired style gave rise to arguably the greatest nickname in sport. "The Divine Ponytail" dazzled on his World Cup debut in 1990, scoring the goal of the tournament in Italy's group stage win over Czechoslovakia before going on to score five times at USA '94. But he will always be remembered for missing his spot kick in Italy's penalty shootout defeat to Brazil in the final, leaving "Il Divin' Codino" feeling less than divine.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
By Jorge! – Mexico goalkeeper Jorge Campos played with distinction for "El Tri" at two World Cups, leaving his sartorial mark on both USA '94 and France '98. The Aztec-inspired number sported by Campos 16 years ago was impressive (more on that shortly), but arguably his finest fashion hour arrived four years earlier. This florescent assault on the senses worn by Campos in the U.S. was burned into the memories, and retinas, of football fans across the globe.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
Aztec aberration – It was enough to have ancient Aztecs turning in their graves. Mexico's jersey for the 1998 World Cup is unforgettable, for all the wrong reasons. Fortunately for stylistically-sensitive observers, the team of star striker Luis Fernandez only lasted four matches in France, before being beaten by Germany in the round of 16.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
Ride together, dye together... – Already assured of qualification for the round of 16 ahead of its final group game at the 1998 World Cup, the Romania team could afford to let its hair down -- or dye it blonde. Romania finished top of Group G ahead of England, Colombia and Tunisia, proving that blondes really do have more fun.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
It's not easy being green – Tales of Taribo West's dreadlocked ponytails reached the ears of eager fans in the build-up to France '98 and, when the Nigerian defender appeared for the "Super Eagles," he didn't disappoint. West played for his country for eight years, appearing at two World Cups and also turning out for Italian giants Inter and AC Milan.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
The Brazilian – The eyes of the world were fixed firmly on Ronaldo ahead of Brazil's 2002 World Cup semifinal against Turkey, but for once no one was looking at the striker's feet. The man known as "Il Fenomeno" took to the field with what appeared to be an unfinished buzz cut. Whatever the reason behind his partly-shaven scalp, it did the trick. Ronaldo scored the winner against Turkey before finding the net twice in Brazil's 2-0 defeat of Germany in the final, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase "getting a Brazilian."
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
FIFA gets shirty – Cameroon's "Indomitable Lions" headed off for the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea with no fear, and no sleeves. With the bulging biceps to make the minimal look a success, Cameroon were set to make a stir at Asia's first World Cup. But, before we could enjoy this NBA-esque jersey, football rulemakers FIFA stepped in and insisted Cameroon must add sleeves to its "vests." The result was a not-so-cool, more conventional, strip, leaving us to ponder what might have been.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
David's do – Modern man, style icon and part-time England football captain, David Beckham was at the center of a British media storm when he opted for a mohawk ahead of the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea. The midifelder who made it OK for men to wear sarongs is also the most capped outfield player in his country's history.
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Photos: Photos: Crazy World Cup styles
Photos: Crazy World Cup styles – Argentina's Rodrigo Palacio sports a rat tail in the group stage of the 2014 tournament.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Neymar (Brazil): One of the youngest players for the host team has a nice resume, including a stint with Real Madrid's youth team before signing his first professional contract at 17. Despite a mediocre debut this past season with powerhouse Barcelona, the 22-year-old has 31 goals in 48 appearances for Brazil and was controversially left off the 2010 World Cup team. Expect him to find the net, especially when you consider his wildly talented supporting cast.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Darijo Srna (Croatia): Srna, right, is Croatia's team captain and most-capped player. He plays professionally for Shakhtar Donetsk, whose stadium is an hour's drive from the Ukraine-Russia border. Chelsea and Bayern Munich have unsuccessfully courted the midfielder and right back, who has an eye for goal. But he said his heart led him to stay in Ukraine. Oh, and he has a leg tattoo of a deer (or "srna" in Croatian) playing soccer.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Miguel Herrera (Mexico): OK, fine, he's an ex-player. But forget Oribe Peralta, Giovani dos Santos and Chicharito. No position for El Tri has been more in dispute than manager. Since Javier Aguirre was sacked after the 2010 World Cup, five managers have helmed Mexico. Herrera's first squad thrashed New Zealand 9-3 in a two-game playoff to qualify for the World Cup. But given Mexico's group, don't expect his next games to go so swimmingly.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon): The first World Cup for Eto'o, left, was in 1998, but don't call him old. He'll make you look silly, as he did in May when he mocked his Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho, with an old-man goal celebration. If you ask Eto'o, he has two more World Cups in him. The 33-year-old will prove integral to the Indomitable Lions' campaign, having notched 56 goals in 117 caps (not to mention 300+ goals for clubs in Russia, Italy, Spain and England).
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Diego Costa (Spain): Picking one player among the reigning world and European champions is tough. But Costa, left, promises to entertain -- and not solely because Spain and the host nation sparred over the Brazil-born striker's services. After receiving horse placenta treatment (uh-huh) on his injured hamstring, Costa started in the Champions League final only to aggravate the injury and come off after nine minutes.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Daley Blind (Netherlands): He's no goal machine, but Ajax's 2012-13 Player of the Year is a true box-to-box midfielder. With Kevin Strootman out due to injury, the 24-year-old understudy should see additional playing time for his country. He'll have extra motivation, too: His father, Danny Blind, who also played for Ajax, is a coach for the national team and has been tapped to take the team's reins following the 2016 European Championship.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Alexis Sanchez (Chile): If La Roja wants to escape from a group boasting both 2010 World Cup finalists, it'll need a strong showing from this 25-year-old forward, seen at right. Sanchez can score, finding the net eight times in 11 caps last year. He also knows how to set up his teammates, as he's racked up 34 assists to complement the 47 goals he's scored in club competition since Barcelona paid generously for his services in 2011.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Tim Cahill (Australia): Cahill, right, is the Socceroos' all-time leading scorer and their oldest player. In 2012, he left Everton after eight seasons in the English Premier League, saying he hoped a move to the New York Red Bulls would prolong his international career. The good news for Australia is he's become more of a goal scorer since joining New York. The bad news? He's netted only one for New York this season.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – James Rodriguez (Colombia): He looks like a kid but brings a mature game for a 22-year-old. Lightning-quick with deft ball control and passing, he's earned lofty comparisons to Colombian demigod Carlos Valderrama. Days before his 19th birthday in 2010, Rodriguez joined Porto, where he played three seasons before Monaco paid €45 million for his transfer. He notched 10 goals and 12 assists for the French side this season.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Theofanis Gekas (Greece): Greece doesn't have any major stars on the international stage. Nor does it have overtly dangerous goal scorers. So it'll be interesting to see how Gekas, a 34-year-old club journeyman, performs in a relatively weak group. With 24 international goals and a ton of experience -- including club stints in Turkey, Spain, Germany, England and Greece -- he has the wherewithal to make a difference.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast): He says he'd be considered the world's best player if he weren't African. That's arguable -- read the soccer blogs -- but he's a force. At 6-foot-3, he aptly plays defensive midfielder but has tremendous ball control and knows how to find the net (see his 20 goals for Manchester City this season). Let's hope his remarks on birthdays and race don't distract World Cup watchers from his considerable skills.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Shinji Kagawa (Japan): The attacking midfielder's speed, vision and creativity would likely guarantee the 25-year-old a spot on any club in the world. But this year, an underachieving and in-transition Manchester United featured him in only 18 games. He went goalless and notched only three assists. He'll need to shake off the rust if Japan is to advance out of an up-for-grabs Group C.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Luis Suarez (Uruguay): Yes, he just had knee surgery, and Coach Oscar Tabarez says he can't be sure his magical goal conjurer will play. If Suarez plays, he promises to be a strong storyline in a tightly contested group. If he doesn't play, ditto. Uruguay has other goal scorers in Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan, but neither enjoyed the form that Suarez displayed this season in netting 31 goals as part of the high-octane Liverpool offense.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Joel Campbell (Costa Rica): Keep an eye on the 21-year-old. Costa Rica's opponents certainly will. Signed by Arsenal at age 18, he's spent the last three years on loan to French, Spanish and Greek clubs. USA fans will also remember him for his ridiculous dive during a World Cup qualifier last year. He'll be looking to redeem himself -- and his ho-hum club form of late -- with a memorable Cup, but he'll have his work cut out.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Adam Lallana (England): For the casual fan, the 26-year-old might not be among England's big names. Three years ago, he was playing in England's third division, and he hasn't scored in five caps. But he tallied 10 goals and six assists for an overachieving Southampton squad this season. As club captain, he's also displayed the leadership to complement his strong finishing, passing and tackling.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Mario Balotelli (Italy): The Azzurri is stacked with some of the world's most skilled players, including Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Pirlo, but with one off-the-wall antic Balotelli can become the story. With as many hairstyles as goal celebrations, the 23-year-old AC Milan forward loves to bring drama, but he has serious finishing skills. That will be important for an aging Italy squad known for hunkering down on defense.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland): The Swiss don't have much offensive firepower (only one player has double-digit international goals), but that might change as this 22-year-old is earning comparisons to the world's top attackers. Why haven't you heard of him? Three reasons: Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Thomas Mueller. Some of the world's best players are attacking midfielders at Shaqiri's club, Bayern Munich. Good mentors for a budding star.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Christian Noboa (Ecuador): Noboa, right, plies his trade in Russia and is known for creativity, solid passing and vision. He's not a goal scorer, but Ecuador will rely on him to generate offense because, with little defense to speak of, it will need to outscore its opponents. If Antonio Valencia, Jefferson Montero and qualifying star Felipe Caicedo can get on the end of Noboa's passes, that's not at all far-fetched.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Paul Pogba (France): Les Blues want to forget a 2010 World Cup in which numerous kerfuffles between the players and manager made them a laughingstock. Pogba could be key to washing away those memories and is doubtless a future star for France. He'll feature in one of the World Cup's most talented midfields, feeding a dangerous striker corps. If you think Pogba is too young to crack the lineup, ask his teammate, onetime Juventus mainstay Claudio Marchisio, what he thinks.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Jerry Bengston (Honduras): His performance for the New England Revolution has been lackluster. Just months ago, he wasn't sure he'd make the World Cup squad. He got the nod, likely because when you put him in Honduras' blue and white, he delivers a goal every other game on average. He's especially lethal with his back to goal. Honduras is outmatched on paper, so Los Catrachos will need Bengston and Carlo Costly to find the net.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Angel Di Maria (Argentina): The perennially talented Argentines are a favorite to advance thanks to a strong defense and a set of strikers that would make any nation drool. The speed and pinpoint passing of Di Maria, left, should make the Real Madrid playmaker the star of an aging midfield. And Argentina's strike force should benefit considerably from linking up with a man who posted 87 assists (coupled with 36 goals) in the last four years for his Spanish club.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Vedad Ibisevic (Bosnia and Herzegovina): An ex-NCAA freshman of the year with Saint Louis University, Ibisevic, left, served stints in the lower leagues of France and Germany before entering the Bundesliga. Since joining Stuttgart in 2012, he's bagged 33 goals, and he has 20 goals in 51 caps for the national team. Big at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, defenders will surely look to keep him and fellow goalhound Edin Dzeko away from goal.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Steven Beitashour (Iran): If Iran is to make it out of the group stage for the first time -- in a likely scramble for Group E's second-place spot behind Argentina -- it will need a spirited performance from its California-born defender. A true dual threat, the Vancouver Whitecaps right back and 2012 MLS All-Star is efficient on the back line and can also streak forward. Since 2011, he has led all MLS defenders in assists.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Ahmed Musa (Nigeria): At 21, Musa has blazing speed but a habit of flubbing goal opportunities. In 37 caps for Nigeria, he's found the net only five times. Expect the Super Eagles to counterattack, and with John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses in the midfield, you can also expect the passes to be on time. Whether Musa and fellow international underachiever Peter Odemwingie can make the most of them may dictate Nigeria's fate.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Miroslav Klose (Germany): With his nose for goal and a knack for nodding headers home, Klose will be on defenders' minds. His 36th birthday falling days before the Cup, the elder statesman has 14 World Cup goals, one shy of Ronaldo (no, not that Ronaldo -- Brazil's Ronaldo, the one who actually has scored proficiently in World Cups). After breaking Gerd Muller's German scoring record, Klose will look to add the World Cup scoring record to his list of accolades.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Nani (Portugal): Yeah, yeah, we were supposed to pick Cristiano Ronaldo. But with a witch doctor tampering with CR7's leg, Portugal could find itself needing some speed and creativity. Enter the Manchester United winger, whose international experience is second only to Ronaldo's. With Portugal's midfield being a relative weak spot, a lot will ride on Nani's performance. He'll need to improve on his club form of late if Portugal is to go deep.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Mix Diskerud (USA): He says it's an honor to wear the No. 10 donned by Tab Ramos, Claudio Reyna and Landon Donovan. With the latter, Team America's top scorer, surprisingly omitted from the team, the USA will need goals. While the 23-year-old midfielder buried one in a recent Azerbaijan friendly, the burden can't fall wholly on him. Clever and quick, look for him to seek out the more goal-minded Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana): The Black Stars have aging stars. It's unclear if Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan can match their past performances, so much will be expected of KPB. An astute tackler with decent speed -- and a resume that includes knocking the U.S. team out of the 2010 World Cup -- the German-born midfielder must finish and tackle well. He'll also need to be careful, because he's no stranger to bookings.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Adnan Januzaj (Belgium): The Belgians are young, and none is younger than the Manchester United wunderkind, seen at right. With one cap to his name -- and surrounded by some of soccer's top stars -- the 19-year-old might not see the field much. But consider this: In his first start for Manchester United, at 18, he scored two goals in a come-from-behind win over Sunderland. Legend has it that at age 6, he once scored 17 goals in a youth game. And if he gets playing time, he certainly won't lack confidence.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Sofiane Feghouli (Algeria): This guy's fun to watch. A midfielder for Valencia, he's arguably Algeria's most talented player despite being only 24. While he's capable of the occasional goal, defenders will be more worried about his quickness, ball control and his ability to place a pass on a teammate's foot in stride. Algeria has an inexperienced set of strikers, so they should benefit from being on the end of Feghouli's top-drawer passing.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Ki Sung-yueng (South Korea): He's a controversial young fellow. He's snarked at fans, insulted his manager and once celebrated an Asian Cup goal with an impersonation that had some Japanese crying racism. Most recently, he put the wrong hand on his chest during the national anthem. All that aside, he's a talented central midfielder who's made more than one defender look silly since joining the English Premier League in 2012.
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Photos: 32 players to watch during the World Cup
32 players to watch during the World Cup – Maksim Kanunnikov (Russia): Boy, Fabio Capello better have this one right. The 22-year-old's first cap was last month, and his resume with three Russian clubs is mediocre. So why is he a player to watch? Because one has to wonder what Capello saw in Kanunnikov that convinced him to select him over the more talented Andrei Arshavin and Pavel Pogrebnyak. Will he break out or break down?
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Who will be the stars of the World Cup? 01:23
Garnering three points for every win and a point for every tie, the teams will be whittled down to the best 16 -- two from each of the eight groups. They will then face off in a do-or-die knockout round beginning June 28. Your March Madness bracket? Yeah, it will look like that, but with a quarter of the teams. The final is July 13.
Only world war can stop it
The World Cup has been held every four years since 1930 with the exception of 1942 and 1946, when it was canceled because of World War II. This will be the 20th World Cup.
It's the eighth time it's been held in South or North America and the second time in Brazil, the first one being 64 years ago. Only South American teams have won World Cups held in the New World, and the last South American World Cup was won by Argentina on home soil in 1978.
Speaking of winners
There isn't much parity to the World Cup. In fact, only eight teams have won it. England, France and defending champion Spain have won it once each. Argentina and Uruguay have won it twice. West Germany has held the trophy aloft three times, Italy has claimed victory four times and Brazil has won it five times. Hmm. Why on Earth do the Brazilians need home-field advantage again?
It's not all fun and games
Allegations of corruption within world soccer's governing body, FIFA, and class warfare within the host nation are casting a pall over the Cup, though don't expect it to dampen fans' fervor once the teams take the pitch.
Specifically, a key sponsor, Sony, is demanding an investigation into the controversial award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, and in Brazil, protesters are asking why an emerging nation is spending billions on hosting a football tournament rather than using it to alleviate poverty.