Thirty-two teams, sixty-four matches, eight groups of four, qualifying years and a world champion. The World Cup is an international football tournament that takes place every four years in summer. It's more than just a game for everyone who participates in it, as well as their fans. “Husbands mortgaged their homes to attend [the World Cup]. Careers were defined by it, and athletes were murdered for making mistakes,” (Trecker 16). It's more than the biggest sporting event in the world, it's the biggest event period. (Trecker 6)Before the start of the World Cup, the only tournament played in international football was the Olympics. ("History of the World Cup) These Olympic tournaments intensified Fifa's dream of organizing its own world championship tournament. (“History of the World Cup) Surveys were eventually sent to affiliated associations asking if they would accept a tournament and what the rules and regulations of that tournament would be (“History of the World Cup”). With these investigations completed and the rules discussed, a special commission led by president Jules Rimet began (“History of the World Cup”). Rimet was supported by the secretary of the French Football Federation, Henri Delaunay. After a remarkable proposal, the FIFA Congress met in Amsterdam on May 28, 1928 and decided to have a world championship organized by FIFA. Hungry countries Italy, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands immediately applied to host this first tournament ("History of the World Cup"). But Uruguay, which was the favorite from the start due to its last two Olympic gold medals as well as its 100th anniversary of independence, was immediately chosen. Europe was in the middle of an economic crisis...... middle of paper ......, and Stefan Szymanski. Soccernomics: why England lose, why Germany and Brazil win and why the United States, Japan, Australia, Turkey and even Iraq are destined to become kings of the world's most popular sport . New York: Nation, 2009. Print. Robinson, Joshua. "World Cup Qualifications - How Teams Qualify for the World Cup - Road to the World Cup." Football - Football - World Cup and EPL - Learn to play football. Internet. February 11, 2011. .Trecker, Jamie. Love and Blood: at the World Cup with Footballers, Fans and Freaks. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, 2007. Print. Voigt, by Kevin. "Is there an economic rebound during the World Cup? - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, US, World, Weather, Entertainment and Video News. Internet. February 11. 2011. .