By: Sonja C.,
on 6/30/2014
I am completely obsessed with the 2014 World Cup tournament in Brazil. There are so many amazing teams playing that I don’t want to miss a single game! While you might not actually see both of these competitors in Brazil, what do you think of today’s match-up? Team Kitten vs. Arjen Robben from Team Holland!
By: Ratha M.,
on 6/23/2014
Attention, all you footballers (or soccer fans if you’re American)! Last week we posted some World Cup Trivia in honor of all the awesome World Cup soccer action we’ve been seeing. A few teams have already been eliminated.
Check out the answers below!1. Which country is the reigning World Cup champion? ANSWER: Spain. It won the World Cup in 2010. Sadly for them, they have already been eliminated from the 2014 tournament.
2. Which country has won the most World Cups? ANSWER: Brazil with 5 titles. (#2 Italy with 4 titles, #3 Germany with 3 titles. The U.S. has never won one yet!)
3. In every country in the world except for the United States, what is the sport of “soccer” called? ANSWER: Football . . . which is funny because around the world, they call American football . . . “American football.”
4. Name the Brazilian player who was named World Player of the Century and is considered to be the greatest player of all time. He won 3 World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970. ANSWER: Pele. His full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento. He came from humble beginnings in Brazil, and couldn’t afford a soccer ball as a child, so he used to play with a sock stuffed with newspaper tied with a string. He began playing for the Brazil national team at age 16 (!) and went on to score 1,281 goals in 1,363 games. He’s totally a legend!
5. TRUE or FALSE. If you win the World Cup, you have to give it back at the end of your country’s reign. ANSWER: FALSE. Well, kind of false. There is ALL sorts of drama surrounding the history of the World Cup trophy. It was stolen twice, and in 1983 a new one had to be created because the original was believed to have been melted into gold pieces and sold by thieves! So now Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, keeps the official trophy. The winners are awarded a gold plated replica to keep.
6. TRUE or FALSE. Most American soccer players stay in the U.S.A. instead of going abroad to play pro soccer. ANSWER: FALSE. While many other U.S. sports attract foreign players (like baseball, basketball, and hockey), there is actually a REVERSE migration of American professional soccer players. Many American players leave the U.S. to play soccer in other countries. Only 3% of World Cup players from any country play for a U.S. Major League Soccer team.
7. Lionel Messi is currently considered to be the best soccer player in the world, challenging even the great Pele. What country is he from? ANSWER: Argentina. He currently plays for the professional team FC Barcelona (in Spain) but was born in Argentina and plays for them in the World Cup. Although pro soccer players can play for any country, they usually play for the country where they were born, or where they hold citizenship, for the World Cup.
8. Where will the next World Cup be held in 2018? ANSWER: Russia. This will be the first time ever in Russia!
Are you a soccer fan? Or do you just love the 5 Seconds of Summer song “Hearts Upon Our Sleeve?” And more importantly, which team do you support in the World Cup? Yes, 5SOS totally counts. Let us know in the Comments below!
Ratha, STACKS Writer
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By: Ratha M.,
on 6/16/2014
What’s the most popular sport in the world? Coming in as the most-watched, most-played in over 200 countries by over 3 billion people . . . soccer! In the streets, in backyards, schools and stadiums, all you need is a ball to get this game going.
As you may know, the World Cup is taking place now through July 13. Out of 209 countries with national teams, the top 32 teams qualified to compete for the title of World Cup champion. All month long, these 32 teams will play matches against each other until there is only 1 victorious team left. Who will it be in 2014?
The first World Cup was in 1930, and is held every 4 years. Like the Olympics, it alternates host countries and this year it is in Brazil. How much do you know about soccer and the World Cup? Compete in our Tuesday Trivia Quiz below:
