An American Introduction to World Cup Soccer

It's fast, furious and fanatical.

It is the source, not only of regional pride, but also of national honor.

It's bigger than the world Olympics, the Super Bowl, World Series and March Madness - combined!

The World Cup of soccer is all of this and more. However, even though soccer, and the battle for the Cup, are enjoyed by more than 3.5 billion people worldwide, it's a subject about which few Americans know anything. In fact, media coverage of World Cup Soccer has often been relegated to cable sports networks, targeted at a relatively few diehard, American fans. Only recently has this quadrennial event made its way to broadcast television in the States.

So, to get you up to speed on the next World Cup competition, scheduled for 2006 in Germany, here's a quick introduction to the world's best in the game we call soccer, and the rest of the world calls football.

The World Cup is sponsored by an international oversight organization for soccer called FIFA, which, en Francais, stands for the Federation Internationale de Football Association . Founded in 1904, FIFA is the governing body for all things soccer, from rule changes to the process by which national soccer teams make their way into World Cup competition. And what a process it is. In comparison, it makes the Major League Baseball play-offs look like a sandlot game.

The World Cup competition is held once every four years in a different host country. Even though the month long competition is held only once every four years, preliminary rounds, between a starting field of 150 national teams, begin two years before the big event. That means there's plenty of World Cup quality soccer to watch right now!

Competitions are held regionally under the auspices of regional soccer organizations including the AFC, UEFA, OFC, CONMEBOL, CAF and CONCACAF. Okay, you don't have to remember this alphabet soup. Just remember that regional competitions - and a region can be the size of Africa - lead the way to a winning team's participation in World Cup competition - the big show. And that's where the excitement, the glory and great moments in sports history are found.

Teams from large countries, like Brazil and the US, and from smaller countries, like East Timor and Nigeria, compete in numerous tournaments until the final field of national teams is winnowed down to 32. The host country's team ( Germany next) and the home country of the previous champions ( Brazil) are given a free pass - no qualifying victories required.

Once the actual World Cup tourney gets underway, loyal fans from every corner of the globe flock to the different venues to cheer on their own national teams. Flags are waved, the air is electric and the knowledgeable crowd cheers, boos and hoots as the fortunes of their teams rise and fall. The occasional soccer riot can also be expected as the fanatics from both sides take the fight into the bleachers. Security, as you might expect, is always tight.

Scalpers hawk their wares outside of each stadium and tickets always go for a premium, even in the early rounds of competition. In fact, if you're planning to attend the '06 World Cup in Germany, now's the time to pick up your tix. (Don't forget to pack the Stars and Stripes.)

So, what teams should you watch now? Well, since the competition for the World Cup began in 1930, several nations have established themselves as perennial powerhouses. Brazil always brings game, having won the Cup five times, including the last final held in 2002. Other teams to watch include the squads from Germany, Italy, England, Argentina and, of course, the up-and-comers from the US.

The World Cup is more than a game, more than a world competition, it's a world event - everywhere but in America. But that's changing quickly as more 'Yanks' discover that soccer's elegance and grace, strategy and strength make for compelling sports action and irresistible TV viewing.

So settle back in the recliner and, as you channel surf, stop to watch a few preliminary games. It won't be long before you recognize the team's star names and the background stories behind each team. Like any sport, the more you know about it, the more you'll enjoy it. Go East Timor!