Brazil 2014 - The toughest World Cup in the history.

Football – a game that helped the world to forget the wounds of War.  The only game being played in the entire World.  The game that every people- dark or white, Muslim or Christian, talking English or Portugese-  understands.  The popularity of the game has gone beyond its limits since its first international tournament. Where in 1930,  participation was just 13,  grown to 32. And hoping to go to 40 very soon in future.

During the growth, Football has gained lot of respect and admiration. Thousands of people started playing football as a profession, also , football giving thousands of other job opportunities. FIFA is doing wonderful things in the name of game such as Education, shelter etc in many poor countries.

Competition is getting more and more fierce over the years. It is becoming a prestige issue for many countries to compete in World Cup.  In 1930, where 13 teams were invited for the tournament, now 207 teams over the entire world competes for the spot of 31 teams ( one spot reserved for the host country).  With the increase in matches to 64, goals count has also increased.  But, how much.

Please go through this:

1998 : 64 matches – 171 goals

2002 : 64 matches – 161 goals

2006 : 64 matches – 147 goals

2010 : 64 matches - 145 goals

It is clear that the number of goals is coming down over the years.  What is the reason ?

Well,  the reasons are many – Globalization of the Game, media, professionalism.

Globalization.

In 2002, FIFA decided to bring the World cup to Asia for the first time and to Africa in 2010.  With this, FIFA was planning to spread the game world wide.  FIFA wanted more tight competitions in World cup stages rather than one-sided matches. This, of course, has improved the level of football in Asia and Africa. Teams like Japan, South Korea, Ghana and Nigeria came up with better performances. They no more wanted to be a small or weak opponent to European and American giants. They eventually learned what to do to not concede more goals. Asian and African countries used to concede more goals than other European and African teams.

info courtesy: wikipedia

   Country qualified for the World Cup

  Country failed to qualify

  Country did not enter

  Country not a FIFA member

Media

Now a days, media plays a very important role in the development of sports and games. We could see and learn a sport or game from its start to international level tactics even in Youtube. Even in football association offices, files gave way to most modern computers and hard discs. Training and practice video tapes storing is common even in a state level association around the world. Decades ago, coaches used to view, review and analyze a player’s level of play. Now, when players practice, it is being video recorded from different angles and analyzes it. During analysis, player gets a better view and provides better options. He realizes his mistakes easily and learns what he should have done and should do next time.

Professionalism

Instead of professionals, I should say, experts. If Messi is an expert in scoring goals, Thiago Silva is an expert defender.  Like them, every team is now filled with experts. They are well trained and well arranged. They don’t fear or admire other players, but just fight as in a battlefield. It is, obviously, increase injuries, but they show professionalism there too. We will see more sliding tackles and injuries this month in Brazil. Also, more and more goalless draws. In this Brazil edition of World cup, a 2-0 victory will be big. Guys , get ready to celebrate the toughest FIFA World Cup in the history of the tournament.