Your guide to the FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup

Image result for world cup trophy 
Credit: Bruno Kelly/Reuters

The FIFA World Cup is an international football competition involving senior men's national teams. It is governed by FIFA (Federation International Football Association). The World Cup has occurred every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II, with the next work cup next year in 2018 at Russia- qualifying games for the World Cup are currently happening across the globe. After the qualifying phases, 32 teams will remain where they will compete in a tournament phases (pools and finals) over the period of approximately 1 month. The defending champions are Germany.

There has been a total of 20 World Cups since 1930. Brazil have won five times and are the only team that have played in every tournament. Germany and Italy both have won four times, Argentina and Uruguay have won twice and England, France and Spain have won once.

The World Cup is the centre of attention for the entire world when it is on. It is not only the most prestigious soccer tournament but is the most widely and followed sporting event in the world, even exceeding the Olympic Games. It is even estimated that a ninth of the entire population of the planet tune in to watch the final.

Australia are through to World Cup (Russia 2018) qualifiers (after beating Syria 2-1 on Tuesday) and take on Honduras (after United States were shockingly eliminated after losing 2-1 to Trinidad & Tobago yesterday) over two legs in a home and away series on November 6 and 14. You can watch both games live on Channel 9 or if you are in Sydney you can travel to ANZ Stadium and catch the game live. Just make sure to wear as much Green and Gold as possible!

On that note, c'mon Australia, lets book ourselves a ticket to the big dance!!

Nicholas Kemmler
05/10/2017

References:
1. Wikipedia, 2017. FIFA World Cup. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup. (Accessed 12 October 2017).

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