Brazil 2014, it’s finally here. Thirty-two nations battling it out for the coveted World Cup. A platform like no other, which only comes along once every four years.
So what’s the fuss about it?
If you took that question seriously, well, hello there, Mr./Ms. Oblivious. The World Cup is the greatest showcase that the sport has to offer. These thirty-two nations are not only battling for the trophy, but also for the pride of their nations. Move over league cups and hefty pay-checks, the WC has much more to offer.
As the teams begin their respective preparations as you read this, let’s take a backdrop into the same. This year, it is being hosted by Brazil, often concocted as the “football capital” of the world. A lot of controversies have surrounded the build-up to the event, and even as the hardcore fan that I am, I’ll admit that the fanfare this time round is a bit lesser than it usually is. The government is in tatters; the public stages protests every other day; and thousands - perhaps even millions - of kids go to bed hungry every night in Brazil. The Brazilian Real is at an all-time low against almost all the other tenders in the world. The stadiums, which were supposed to be completed by December last year, are yet to be finished. Lack of proper measures at the construction sites has already cost dozens of lives.
So what’s the fuss about it?
If you took that question seriously, well, hello there, Mr./Ms. Oblivious. The World Cup is the greatest showcase that the sport has to offer. These thirty-two nations are not only battling for the trophy, but also for the pride of their nations. Move over league cups and hefty pay-checks, the WC has much more to offer.
As the teams begin their respective preparations as you read this, let’s take a backdrop into the same. This year, it is being hosted by Brazil, often concocted as the “football capital” of the world. A lot of controversies have surrounded the build-up to the event, and even as the hardcore fan that I am, I’ll admit that the fanfare this time round is a bit lesser than it usually is. The government is in tatters; the public stages protests every other day; and thousands - perhaps even millions - of kids go to bed hungry every night in Brazil. The Brazilian Real is at an all-time low against almost all the other tenders in the world. The stadiums, which were supposed to be completed by December last year, are yet to be finished. Lack of proper measures at the construction sites has already cost dozens of lives.
The incumbent government is bound to lose the elections a little later this year. Ask any local why they would vote against them, and a simple answer would await your ears - the FIFA World Cup. If it were any other country in the world, one would proudly boast of his/her country hosting the coveted event. Not this one.
To be fair to the government, when they did bid for the WC, they couldn’t have possibly predicted such a bad state of affairs. Taking a look back a decade ago, Brazil was doing fairly well. Their economy was rising, their position as one of the BRIC nations gave reasons to cheer about, and their football was perhaps the world’s best. A look at the situations would spell out a completely different scenario right now, though.
Yet, it promises to be one of the best WC’s hosted till date. Although I can’t really comment on the economy’s doings and their position as a BRIC nation (I’ll leave that to Tejas, thank you very much).
To be fair to the government, when they did bid for the WC, they couldn’t have possibly predicted such a bad state of affairs. Taking a look back a decade ago, Brazil was doing fairly well. Their economy was rising, their position as one of the BRIC nations gave reasons to cheer about, and their football was perhaps the world’s best. A look at the situations would spell out a completely different scenario right now, though.
Yet, it promises to be one of the best WC’s hosted till date. Although I can’t really comment on the economy’s doings and their position as a BRIC nation (I’ll leave that to Tejas, thank you very much).
I can dwell on their football. After winning the Confideration’s Cup last year, the confidence is really high for the Samba boys. Their star players are shining at both the club and country level, and their 23-man squad would be envied by any national coach in the world (except for Juergen Klinsman, who seems like he wouldn’t even take Ronaldo or Ibrahimovich in his team!).
As we count down to the hours to the 12th of June, the football section at Brangled Minds promises to bring you a detailed preview of the same. Reubyn, Neil and I shall be writing on the prospects of some of the teams leading to the tournament, and the players to watch out for. Moreover, we shall be alerting you on the matches you simply cannot miss.
The upcoming month promises to bring a lot of fun and football, so do keep an eye for the FIFA World Cup 2014, even if you’re not an avid watcher of football. Because, “All in one rhythm”.
-Mister GoogleHead (Follow on Twitter @Mr_GoogleHead)
As we count down to the hours to the 12th of June, the football section at Brangled Minds promises to bring you a detailed preview of the same. Reubyn, Neil and I shall be writing on the prospects of some of the teams leading to the tournament, and the players to watch out for. Moreover, we shall be alerting you on the matches you simply cannot miss.
The upcoming month promises to bring a lot of fun and football, so do keep an eye for the FIFA World Cup 2014, even if you’re not an avid watcher of football. Because, “All in one rhythm”.
-Mister GoogleHead (Follow on Twitter @Mr_GoogleHead)