The moment when football becomes the most important thing in the world has arrived - it's time for the World Cup, a competition that has been eagerly awaited for four years and that awakens euphoria in every corner of the country. Regardless of whether a country is participating or not.
And this summer, for the first time in history, 48 countries will have national teams at the World Cup - 104 matches will be played over 39 days in three major countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada.
It all starts tomorrow (Thursday) at 21pm from "Azteca", the temple of football, the iconic stadium that will host the World Cup for the third time, and the first hosts Mexico and South Africa will take to the field.Just like 2010, only with the host roles reversed.
This is followed by an early wake-up call (4:00 a.m.) and the match between the Czech Republic and Korea in Guadalajara, and the first derby will be played on the night between Saturday and Sunday at exactly midnight when Brazil and Morocco will clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
FROM AZTECA TO METLAIF
The three countries hosting the World Cup have provided 16 host cities - New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Houston, Kansas City, Seattle, Miami, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Toronto and Vancouver.
The opening ceremony will be held with Shakira at "Azteca", and from the quarterfinals onwards, the tournament will be played only in the USA, with the grand finale at "MetLife".
The greatest distance between cities is 4.500 kilometers.
MESSI AND RONALDO SET A RECORD
Lionel Messi arrives as the king of the previous World Cup, for whom this will be his sixth World Cup. His eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo will have the same number of World Cups, so the two will set a record for the number of appearances.
Behind them with five each are Antonio Cabral, Rafael Marquez, Andres Guardado, Lotar Mateus, as well as the legend from this region, Luka Modrić, who will make his fifth appearance this summer.
The Portugal legend is the only one to have scored in every World Cup so far.
THE MAGNIFICENT EIGHT OR THE NEW CHAMPION
Argentina is defending the crown on the American continent, and many see France, Spain, Brazil, England, Germany, Portugal as the biggest favorites along with the "gauchos"...
Of those mentioned, only the Portuguese have never been world champions.
Among the eight greats who have reached the Golden Goddess are Brazil (five times), Germany, Italy (four each), Argentina (three), France, Uruguay (two each), England and Spain (once each).
THE WIZARD OF ROSARY AND MBAPE ARE TAKING AIM AT KLOSE'S RECORD
The all-time top scorer at World Cups is Miroslav Klose, the legendary German goal scorer.
He scored 16 goals in 24 games, leaving behind Brazilian Ronaldo (15), Gerd Müller (14), Just Fontaine and Lionel Messi (13 each), Pele and Kylian Mbappe (12 each).
It is clear from everything that Messi and Mbappe will have the opportunity to overthrow Klose - the magician from Rosario - for the last time at this World Cup, and the French master will probably have more opportunities.
Hot summer, the best football and plenty of sleepless nights - Mundomania is coming.
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