Brazil is playing host to the World Cup for the first time since 1950. The five-time champions last won the tournament back in 2002.
Brazil is playing host to the World Cup for the first time since 1950. The five-time champions last won the tournament back in 2002.
VANDERLEI ALMEIDA AFP/Getty Images/file
Nicky Salapu let in 31 goals during American Samoa's world record defeat to Australia in 2001. But a decade later the team would be transformed.
Nicky Salapu let in 31 goals during American Samoa's world record defeat to Australia in 2001. But a decade later the team would be transformed.
Darren England/ALLSPORT/file
Former U.S. coach Bob Bradley was tasked with guiding Egypt to the World Cup finals in the months following the country's dramatic revolution.
Former U.S. coach Bob Bradley was tasked with guiding Egypt to the World Cup finals in the months following the country's dramatic revolution.
KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images/file
Football has been a unifying force for Bosnian nationals who were forced to leave their homeland during the bloody conflict in the early 1990s.
Football has been a unifying force for Bosnian nationals who were forced to leave their homeland during the bloody conflict in the early 1990s.
ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP/Getty Images
The entire team had absconded in 2009, so how would an all-new Eritrean side fare in their World Cup preliminary round match against Rwanda.
The entire team had absconded in 2009, so how would an all-new Eritrean side fare in their World Cup preliminary round match against Rwanda.
© James Montague
The Kosovo Football Federation's mission wasn't to qualify for the World Cup, but simply to be officially recognized as a football playing nation.
The Kosovo Football Federation's mission wasn't to qualify for the World Cup, but simply to be officially recognized as a football playing nation.
FABRICE COFFRINI AFPGettyImages/file
The spiritual home of football has played host to mass protests in the build up to the World Cup. Will all eyes be on the pitch come June 12?
The spiritual home of football has played host to mass protests in the build up to the World Cup. Will all eyes be on the pitch come June 12?
© James Montague