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14 FIFA World Cup 2014 Facts You May Not Know

Piyush Bathla

Last updated: Apr 3, 2017

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With the much-awaited FIFA World Cup 2014 kicking off on 12^th June, the countdown has officially begun. Football enthusiasts have probably started crossing off the days on their calendars already. Frenzied speculations on fan forums are reaching a crescendo – will Spain continue their dream run this year or might we witness a dramatic upset victory? Crossed fingers, rumours abuzz and anticipation galore mark the run-up to the 20^th FIFA World Cup, set to be held in Brazil. So we thought of sharing some trivia on the subject; 14 FIFA World Cup 2014 facts that you probably weren’t aware of. Here goes: 1. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the latest addition to the 32 national teams participating in this year’s World Cup. It is the only nation to make its World Cup debut this time around. 2. The 2014 World Cup will witness matches taking place in 12 different cities – more than any other World Cup venues in history.

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons | Daniel Basil

3. No less than eight previous winners of the FIFA World Cup are set to clash in Brazil this year. These include: Brazil, Italy, Germany, Argentina, Uruguay, France, England and Spain. 4. This is only the second time that Brazil is hosting the World Cup. The last time it played host was way back in 1950. Bit of a surprise, considering that Brazil, the land of ‘Joga Bonito’ (The Beautiful Game), is seen by many as the spiritual home of football. 5. This year’s official mascot is an armadillo named ‘Fuleco’ – voted for by the Brazilian public.

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons | Agencia Brasil

6. Unsurprisingly perhaps, the official ambassadors for the 2014 FIFA World Cup are all Brazilian. 7. The official match ball, made by Adidas, is named ‘Brazuca’ (Brazilian + Bazooka, geddit?). The name was chosen through a public vote.

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons | YarikUkraine

8. The slogan for this year’s World Cup is ‘All in One Rhythm’. In Portuguese – the official language of Brazil – it is ‘Juntos num so ritmo’. 9. Budweiser is the major sponsor for the FIFA World Cup 2014. Other sponsors include McDonald’s, Castrol, Johnson & Johnson, Continental, Oi, Yingu and Moy Park. 10. Highest-ranked participating nation: Spain. Lowest? Australia. 11. With goal-line technology in place, controversies over whether the ball crossed the line or not can be put to an end. 12. Some people obviously know something we don’t. Bookies appear to back Germany as cup winners.

Image Credits: Wikipedia | Steindy

13. Mario Mandzukic from Croatia is the only player to be suspended for the first round of the World Cup – thanks to his terrible late challenge in Croatia’s final qualifying match against Iceland. 14. And finally, the total prize money for the FIFA World Cup 2014 will be a staggering $454 million. Last year’s winners, Spain, received $30 million in prize money. Each country that participated received $8 million – even if it didn’t cross the group stages. There you have it. This year’s World Cup promises to be bigger, better and fiercer. And with Brazil hosting this year, it will be just like homecoming. You’re all invited.

Piyush Bathla

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