With World Cup 2010 countdown at less than 2 weeks, fútbol fans around the world are preparing to follow their favorite team and players in South Africa. A brief tutorial for those who still think like the statement below, which pretty much sums up fútbol in America. Cesare feel free to comment!
Weir stated his thoughts on USA and fútbol before we hosted it 1994: “Hating soccer is more American than apple pie, driving a pickup, or spending Saturday afternoons channel surfing with the remote control.”
That being said, things are a changing. For one thing, US hosted a WC in 1994 and we currently have an ambassador in slick Willy Clinton who is in charge of bringing the WC back to America (see prior posting).
US has nothing on the global tenor surrounding this amazing game. Outside of soccer-playing circles and faithful fanatics like the Pirates of the World Cup (PWC), it is not followed with much interest, which is a shame. The World Cup has all the hallmarks of an event which should appeal to the American psyche, if only we were a fútbol -loving nation. It's got patriotism, drama, competitiveness, and more importantly a team that has qualified to participate. Irishwould give their first born to be competing. Henry dashed that hope. I am getting side tracked.
At its heart, World Cup has the sport's most talented players giving their all not for money, which they already earn in breathtaking abundance, but for national pride. This last aspect is what will change the face of the world for an entire month over the upcoming weeks. This is no exaggeration and hard to comprehend , but during World Cup games, everything stops for competing nations and I mean everything work stops, school stops, business stops, traffic stops. It’s an indescribable phenomenon.
I wanted to believe that the US would catch on sooner, especially when dollars are involved, but every four years, it’s the same disappointment. The excitement short lived and the interest fades as qualifiers for the next one begins. The good news, though, is that I am an optimist and with the interent and ESPN covering the cup 24/7 it just may help bring all nations together in just two weeks time including USA.
Novices please view this brilliant Nike commercial that’s gained nearly 10 million views in just a few days’ time.
Anyhow here’s the 411 on WC:
The tournament is every 4 years and if you have not put two and two together this is a WC year. It kicks off on June 11 and continues through July 11 when the tournament final will take place at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is the first time World Cup football is going to be organized in Africa. It may have a viewing audience near 1 billion. It’s a big deal!
There are 32 teams from around the world participating in the tournament. All the teams except South Africa have gone through qualifying round to clinch their places in the World Cup finals. There will be 64 matches in the tournament and the matches will be held in 10 venues located in 9 different cities in the country.
FIFA increased the World Cup prize money to $420 million, compared to the 2006 prize money. Recession my ass! Each of the 32 participating teams will be given $1 million in order to meet their preparation cost. Each of the 16 teams getting out from the tournament at the group stage will get $8 million.
Eight teams losing in the round of 16 would be given $9 million each. Each of the four losing quarter-finalists would receive $18 million, while $20 million would be awarded each of the two losing semi finalists. The winning team would receive $30 million and runners up would be given $24 million.
Let the games begin!
Los Piratas de la copa mundial
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Los Piratas de la Copa Mundial. Vamos Argentina !