FIFA World Cup Begins Today

The FIFA World Cup begins today, and runs through July 13, with host country Brazil playing Croatia.

This is the 20th FIFA World Cup, an international men’s football tournament that takes place every four years. It is the second time that Brazil has hosted the competition, the last one being in 1950.

Beginning in June 2011, national teams from 31 countries advanced through qualification matches. This month and next, a total of 64 matches are to be played in 12 cities across Brazil in either new or redeveloped stadiums, with the tournament beginning on a group stage.

For the first time at a World Cup Finals, the matches will use goal-line technology, according to Wikipedia.