Fun Facts about World Cup

written by Gabriela Davita Amelia

Heyho, football lovers!

The World is now feeling World Cup euphoria! Can you feel it? Yep. FIFA World Cup is approaching. It's still in June, but people are waiting for it so badly. This year, as you may know, World Cup will be held in Brazil, which is also known as one of great football team in the world. Do you know, Brazil has won 5 titles in World Cup? That's cool, right. 

Well, we all know World Cup is so exciting! But do you also know, that World Cup also brings a message for us? hmm.. I'm going to discuss a bit more about the history of World Cup.

World Cup was first inaugurated in 1930, with the first host country was Uruguay. It was attended by 13 invited countries and has been widely developed until now. World Cup has indeed made a great impact, especially for the host country. Since the first World Cup, many adjustment has been made. The purpose was increasingly evolving. From only to play sport, then it became successful and became one of world's icon. Nowadays, it has been used for many purposes, including to promote diversity and tolerance.

Yes! World Cup is teaching us about diversity and tolerance. Why? Here I give some example

Copacabana Beach, Brazil, 2014.

These bears were originally come from the countries that join World Cup 2014. They were designed by the artists from the origin country. I really like this concept of bears tho, they manage to be beautifully different. It really shows us that we are the same, only different colors and lines.

South Africa, 2010

Do you know that Waka Waka song by Shakira derived from many elements? She used Western, Colombian and Afro-Carribbean elements, Cameroon, and South Africa itself. Here's what she said about World Cup ".. in that way we can create a song that would be more emblematic of what the world cup spirit is, that spirit of tolerance and integration and melting pot that South Africa right now"

Germany, 2006

Up next! Germany. Sorry for the bad quality picture, but... this picture above shows us what is so called "The Ballace 2006" project. This event was held by young volunteers which represented UK, to promote tolerance, fairplay and integration through grassroots community football in Germany and they brough together more than 150 volunteers from partner organizations in Poland, Italy, Norway, France and Germany. Well, nice way to gain more networks also.

Ok, from the facts I've told you above, I believed World Cup has come to be a great valuable event for our international community. Interesting, how a game can be so influential. Well, hope you like it! :)