It says a lot for Spain's World Cup record that the high point most frequently cited by fans is a 1-0 victory over England in 1950.
Argentina versus Ivory Coast will not be a must-see World Cup game for most Germans but in the small town of Herzogenaurach a decades-old feud will be played out on the pitch when they meet on Saturday in Hamburg.
Oceania will be guaranteed direct entry to FIFA's Club World Cup despite losing Australia to the Asian confederation and being represented by a predominantly amateur team.
UN Security General Kofi Annan said Sunday that the World Cup was an event of global importance, branding soccer as a role model for the international community.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the country's national team that he may travel to Germany if it advances from the opening round of the World Cup.
Brazil President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva told Sunday's sporting press that "Brazil is no longer the land of football" responding to news that 21 of the 23-strong Brazil World Cup soccer squad play overseas.
Britain's Prince William said the England football team promised to bring home the World Cup from Germany when he gave them a good luck message at their training camp on Thursday.
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