The eyes of the soccer world are fixed squarely on Germany, as the 2006 World Cup kicks off today with five-time champion Brazil as the overwhelming favorite and with the United States hopeful of advancing from the first round.
Deutschland is wrapped in a soccer craze right now. Shops are packed with soccer knick-knacks; TV news programs are covering even the most minor soccer story; and music channels are showing music videos only if they happen to have soccer scenes in them.
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Newspapers are even pushing special travel sections that can help non-soccer-fan natives escape the country?s World Cup madness.
It?s all about the World Cup. And the 18th edition of the world?s largest sporting event promises plenty of drama.
With such celebrated stars as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Adriano, Robinho and Kaka, Brazil is almost everyone?s pick to finish on top. Ronaldo, whose two goals in the 2002 final clinched the title, can become the World Cup?s all-time leading scorer with three goals this summer, overtaking German Gerd Mueller?s record of 14 tallies in 1970 and 1974.
“We?re here to show what we can do,” Brazil?s Adriano said. “Everyone says we?re the best. We have to work hard to prove it.”
While Brazil is the top favorite, there are other nations in the title hunt, including Argentina, Holland, England, Italy and host Germany.
Team USA coach Bruce Arena admits he?s not thinking about a World Cup title just yet, especially in difficult Group E, which includes an opening match against Czech Republic in Gelsenkirchen June 12. The Americans face three-time world champion Italy June 17, then play Ghana June 22.
“Advancing out of our group would be a successful World Cup,” Arena said. “We realize we?re in a group with three very good teams, but we?re very confident in our ability. We want to continue to show we are improving and are a player in the world?s game.”
Arena?s troops will be hard-pressed, however, to match their quarterfinal showing in 2002. Should the United States advance, they likely would face Brazil in the Round of 16.
Some enticing first-round matchups include Argentina vs. Holland, Italy vs. Czech Republic, England vs. Sweden and Brazil vs. Japan (with Brazilian coach Zito).
The world also will be watching how Germany welcomes the tens of thousands of visitors to these games. One German politician recently questioned whether it will be safe for foreigners. However, Chancellor Angela Merkel insists Germany, despite recent neo-Nazi demonstrations, is opening its arms to the world.
David Hein, a native of Illinois, has lived in Germany for several years and has covered soccer and other sports throughout Europe.
