1. What Kind Of Tournament Can We Expect?
The 2014 World Cup will be a momentous and historic occasion for Brazil, who will be hosting the competition for only the first time since 1950. This is also the first World Cup to take place in South America since Argentina hosted in 1978, and the first time the tournament has been hosted outside Europe consecutively following the 2010 South Africa competition. Clearly Brazil will have home advantage and will be favourites to lift the famous trophy, having not lost a competitive game on home soil since 1975. Fans should expect a carnival-like atmosphere at grounds, and a very colourful occasion. Supporters should also expect every stadium to be brimming to capacity. This year's Confederations Cup, seen as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, enjoyed ticket sales of 800,000. On the field, goal-line technology will be used for the first ever time in a major tournament, meaning there will thankfully be no repeat of Frank Lampard's "ghost goal" last time round. However, conspiracy theorists can get their sharpened pencils out because German-based manufacturer GoalControl have been chosen to provide the data.
What are you looking forward to the most about next summer's World Cup? What are England's chances? Let us know in the comment section, below.