The world (but not US) is ready for some football

Maybe it has to do with being earth's only superpower.

Americans act unilaterally in matters of international security and global economics. We often seem to abhor international bodies like the United Nations.

We have a culture that steamrolls everything in its path.

Then there's football, which we stubbornly call soccer. It's the world's game – the most beautiful of all sports – and we largely ignore it. Even the World Cup, the greatest of all sporting events, played every four years, is buried somewhere between the glitz of the NBA playoffs and the slow burn of Major League Baseball.

What a shame. Maybe if we learned to understand the game better, we could bond with the rest of the world in a way that has nothing to do with oil or weapons.

Maybe we could even appreciate a little bit more what we have here in the United States: a national team that has played its way into three consecutive World Cups, a group of players that is steadily earning respect around the globe. (Hey, some of these guys, like goal tender Kasey Keller, are household names in Europe!)

It is an exciting time for American soccer. We are developing our own brand of swagger. We are even learning the sublime art of scoring goals, led by a cadre of young players who are fast and fearless.

Make no mistake. In this tournament, which begins today when defending champion France meets Senegal in Seoul, South Korea, the Americans will be dangerous. We have a legitimate chance of advancing out of our group (D) and making the round of 16.

But even if we fail, that is OK. Not everyone is meant to win the World Cup, and even making the field of 32 is an accomplishment – something that was evident last week, when the US lost a tune-up match to an excellent Dutch team that did not qualify.

Rather, the World Cup is about the personalities of the different teams and the stars they bring to the field – from the fabulous playmaking of France's Zinedine Zidane to the elegant, quicksand defense played by the Italians.

Here's what you need to know to follow the World Cup action:

Where is it happening?

The matches are being played at venues in South Korea and Japan. It's the first time that the World Cup has been contested in Asia and the first time it has been cohosted by two countries.

How does the tournament work?

The 32 national teams are divided into eight groups of 4 teams each.

In the first round, each team plays a total of three games against each of its opponent in its group. From each group, the two teams with the best records advance to the next round. The final 16 teams then play a single-elimination tournament, until a champion is crowned June 30 in Yokohama, Japan.

Can I watch on TV?

Yes, all of the games will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC. But there's one catch: Because of different time zones, the live games will be broadcast in the US between 1:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. EST. This is the most-watched TV event in the world, with viewers numbering in the billions (especially with China making its first appearance).

Who are the best teams?

About 10 teams have a legitimate chance to win, but a few stand out. France is the defending World Cup champion and ranked No. 1 by FIFA, the international body governing soccer. On paper, it may be even stronger than it was in 1998. Pele, the Brazilian soccer legend, predicts that three other teams can compete for the title: Argentina, Italy, and England. "I think all four of the teams I mentioned will go far, but they will need some luck and a few breaks along the way," the Great One told a British newspaper.

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