| If between June 9th and July 9th you wonder where | | | | years, it's really more of an ongoing event. The |
| everyone has headed, just amble over to the | | | | upcoming 2006 World Cup Finals will be held in |
| nearest flat screen TV. Yep, it's time again for the | | | | Germany and involves 32 national teams competing |
| 2006 FIFA World Cup. First televised in 1954, the | | | | over a four-week period. An added bonus for those |
| World Cup is now the most widely-viewed and | | | | watching from the States is that we finally have a |
| followed sports event in the world... even more than | | | | team to cheer for: The US team is currently ranked |
| the Olympic Games! | | | | fifth in the world and has a competitive chance at |
| The FIFA World Cup (often called the Football World | | | | the title. |
| Cup, Soccer World Cup or simply the World Cup) is | | | | SOME TRIVIAo In the 17 tournaments held, only |
| the most important competition in international soccer | | | | seven nations have ever won the World Cup Finals.o |
| (aka: football). Governed by Federation Internationale | | | | Brazil is the current holder, and is the most successful |
| de Football Association (FIFA), the championship | | | | World Cup team boasting five total wins.o The 1st |
| occurs every four years. However, since the | | | | competition was held in Uruguay in 1930. |
| qualifying rounds take place over the three preceding | | | | |