Every four years 32 nations come together to compete for the ultimate prize, the FIFA World Cup Trophy. The futbol, or soccer, tournament spans over one month, with matches played regularly. Teams are split into groups, and are tasked to first make it out of group play before progressing on to later rounds. This year, the tournament is held in Brazil.
However, it is not only the aggressive play, upsets and talented players that make the World Cup worth watching. It is about the sense of pride in your nation and your culture that the tournament evokes. Turn on a match at any given time throughout the tournament, and you’ll be flooded with chants and cheers from fans.
For Brazilians, the tournament is about representing the flair and charisma of the nation both on and of the pitch. For Spaniards, it is a chance to hold on to the trophy for another year. For the English, it is a shot at redemption after controversial refereeing cost them games in previous years.
And for our men’s national team? The World Cup is a major opportunity to propel the United States forward as a significant name in soccer globally. Yes, our team is in “the group of death” with powerhouses Portugal, Germany and Ghana. No, Landon Donovan, arguably the face of US Men’s Soccer, is not on the final roster. This does not mean our team cannot take on an underdog role and come out victorious.
For our country, fans of the sport look at it with the same attitude Americans have taken about competition for years—we believe we can win. From the American Outlaws, a group that travels to the games in support of our team, to children watching their role models on TV, the American spirit is especially strong throughout this month. Players become household names, and viewing parties are held around the country.
No matter which team you support, it is undeniable that there is no other arena like the FIFA World Cup. Nowhere else can you catch fans young and old cheering for their team with such fervor. They are overjoyed in one moment, and in the next second in agony when the other team strikes. No other sporting event can boast that it is the most watched and followed worldwide.
Most importantly, no matter what prism you view the tournament through, no other event can cause emotions to heighten to this level. Goals are precious to come by, celebrations are almost as much a part of the game as actual play and players and fans alike rejoice in their national culture. It is as if the world slows down a little to watch 22 players at a time battle it out for the trophy, and for the chance to say their country is undoubtedly the best in the world.
