10 Things You Should Know About the World Cup and Soccer
In case you haven’t already noticed the commercials on TV, Twitter and Facebook, or you live under a rock, the World Cup is here.
It’s the most popular sporting event in the world and this is a good time to start watching—even if you only watch soccer once every four years.
If you've never watched soccer or have no idea what all of the fuss is about, consider this your basic guide for the World Cup.
Here are 10 things you should know about the World Cup, soccer and the players involved.
Soccer Is Richer Than All Major US Sports
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The majority of soccer leagues pay out—and the players make—more money than any other sport in the world.
As a matter of fact, according to a Forbes report, the top three richest sporting events in the world are soccer tournaments, and the World Cup is third on that list.
Cristiano Ronaldo Makes More Money Per Season Than LeBron James and Kobe Bryant
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Speaking of money and Forbes, soccer has two of the highest-paid athletes in the world.
In a recent Forbes feature titled “Highest-Paid Athletes of 2014,” Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were ranked second and fourth overall.
Ronaldo makes over $50 million a year and Messi earns more than $40 million annually just to play soccer. They make even more with endorsements.
The US Men's Team Are Getting Better
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The U.S. men's national team’s best finish in the World Cup in the last 80 years has been eighth place.
They have improved a lot in the last 20 years but still have a long way to go to catch up to the top international teams.
U.S. men’s coach and former German soccer superstar Jürgen Klinsmann, recently said it’s “unrealistic” to expect the US to win the World Cup.
That certainly isn't a vote of confidence.
Lionel Messi Is a 26-Year-Old Legend
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The World Cup will feature many stars from all over the world, but you’ll probably hear a lot about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Not only because they make a lot of money, but also because they are really good.
Messi, at 26-years-old, is the all-time leading scorer for FC Barcelona—one of the best clubs in the world.
That would be equal to Kobe Bryant becoming the leading scorer in Lakers history at 26. Kobe was 32 years old when he did that.
The Last Host Country to Win the World Cup Was France in 1998
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The World Cup is being held in Brazil this year and the host nation is one of the favorites to win it all.
The last time a host country won a World Cup was in 1998 when France beat Brazil to claim their first title.
Can Brazil win their sixth World Cup on home turf?
If so, book your tickets to the after party because it should be fun.
The US Men's National Team Helped Their Biggest Rivals
6 of 10The U.S. national team’s biggest rival is Mexico.
They hate each other.
However, if it wasn’t for two late goals scored by the U.S. in a World Cup qualifier against Panama, Mexico wouldn’t even be in the tournament.
How late were the goals? The U.S. only found the net once in the first 90 minutes.
The crucial goals came in the three minute period of added time, giving the U.S. a late 3-2 victory.
In order to qualify for the tournament, all Mexico had to do was win against Costa Rica. They lost 2-1 and seemed all but out of the World Cup.
With the U.S. losing, Mexico were on the brink of elimination. However, those legendary three minutes offered El Tricolor another chance of qualification through the playoff stages.
After winning with an aggregate score of 9-3 against New Zealand, Mexico ensured a World Cup berth.
Take a listen to the Mexican broadcaster as he calls both games and see's the U.S score in the final moments.
Who Are the Favorites to Win?
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Who are the favorites to win?
If you are a betting man, or if you like to try and predict winners, you’ll most likely want to back Brazil, Argentina or Spain, as they are the top three favorites according to OddsShark.com.
Many other European teams are strong, but they have not had a lot of success playing on this side of the world.
Therefore, Germany, Spain and England may not be the best picks.
The U.S Team Are in the 'Group of Death'
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The U.S. are in the "Group of Death".
No, that doesn’t mean the losers will be killed, but it does mean the U.S. men’s team have been drawn in the hardest group in the tournament.
In the opening stages, the four teams in a group have to play each other, with the two top-performing sides moving on to the knockout rounds.
The U.S. is ranked 13th in the FIFA World Rankings. The rest of their group consists of Portugal (No.4), Germany (No.2) and Ghana (No.37).
That's not exactly an easy road.
If they get through the group stage, this could be one of their best performances and accomplishments in recent history.
Mexico Will Practice Soccer and Abstinence in Brazil
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If you think the U.S. has it bad with their "Group of Death", imagine what it’s like to be the Mexico team?
Their head coach is forbidding the team to have sex while in Brazil. They will not only be practicing soccer, but they will be practicing abstinence as well.
That has to be tough, considering Brazil has produced some of the hottest women in the world, including Victoria Secret models Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Gisele Bündchen.
No Ties in the World Cup Knockout Stage
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There are no ties in the knockout rounds!
Yes, you heard that correctly. Once the World Cup gets past the group stages there are no more ties.
Many people don’t like soccer because games can end in a tie. In the World Cup knockout stage you have to play until there is a winner.
If there is a draw after 90 minutes, there are two 15-minute periods of overtime. If there is still no winner, the game goes to a penalty shootout.
That sounds fun, right?
For more World Cup and sports commentary follow me on Twitter: @elias_trejo
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