Let World Cup Craze Begin!

開啟世界杯狂歡模式！

導讀：四年一屆的世界杯開始了！不是球迷？對足球根本一竅不通？請不要在這些細節，因為還有很多理由讓你加入圍觀世界杯的隊伍，開啟世界杯狂歡模式！

I'm not a soccer fan, not even a person who knows much about soccer. But like a sizable part of the world's population — an estimated 1 billion people — I've planned part of this summer around one event in particular: the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

我不是球迷，對足球的了解也不多，但是和大多數地球人（約10億）一樣，2014年巴西世界杯仍然被列入了今夏計劃之中。

From June 12 to July 13, the soccer world championship is probably the planet's most popular sporting event. And the World Cup has long enjoyed a high level of popularity in China, despite the country's low competitiveness in the sport.

從6月12日持續到7月13日的世界杯也許是地球上最受歡迎的體育盛事。在中國，盡管國足不給力，但是國人仍然對世界杯充滿熱情。

So, why is the World Cup such a big deal to a layman like me and billions of others?

那么，世界杯到底為什么如此重要？即使對于成千上萬像我這樣的門外漢也不例外？

Many are in it for the spectacle. For some, it's the coming together of people from all over the globe. And for others, it's a rooted way of life in their country.

許多人被它壯觀的場面吸引。而對一些人而言，這意味著和全世界的人相聚在一起；對另一人而言，這已成為他們國家根深蒂固的生活方式之一。

No hard feelings if you haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet, so long as you give it a chance.

只要你肯給自己一個機會，如果你不是某些球隊的鐵桿粉也沒關系。

Let's start with star power. The biggest event in soccer certainly attracts many of the sport's biggest names and sees them fighting to lead their country to glory. Ever heard of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? In the World Cup games, you get to see players as good as them giving their best performances. But despite being the world's two best soccer players, neither has won a World Cup. The beauty of soccer is that having one superstar guarantees you nothing. Both rely heavily on their 10 teammates to defy the odds.

讓我們從認識球星開始。世界杯作為最大的足球盛事，無疑會吸引眾多體育界的大咖，讓人可以一睹他們帶領自己的隊伍為國家榮譽而戰的風采。你可聽說過梅西和C羅？世界杯上，你可以看到像他們一樣優秀球員的最佳表現。梅西和C羅雖然是世界杯最佳球員，但是只有他們是不可能贏得世界杯冠軍的。只有球星一人并不能帶來勝利：這正是足球的魅力所在。梅西和C羅能夠排除萬難取得突破，都依賴于他們的10位隊友。

Yes, soccer games can be boring. But in the total of 64 games during the World Cup, the odds of on-field drama are much higher. One-sided victories, last-minute turnarounds, penalty shootouts — history always repeats itself by offering exciting matches.

的確，球賽有時會很無趣。但是世界杯有64場比賽，總會看到許多有趣的戲劇性場面。壓倒性的勝利，最后一分鐘的反轉，以及點球大戰——歷史總是在激動人心的比賽中上演。

If star power and drama can't convince you to pay more attention to the tournament, you'll certainly enjoy the parties.

即使球星和戲劇性的場面還是不能吸引你，你也一定能享受世界杯帶來的各種聚會。

Around the world, hundreds of thousands will pack public spaces for viewing parties complete with food, beer and other activities. If you're more into the pub scene, many bars will be packed shoulder-to-shoulder with supporters. There, very likely, hugs will be shared between strangers and rounds will be bought for entire floors.

在世界各地，成千上萬人聚集在公共場合，啤酒、食物、狂歡……如果你更喜歡酒吧，很多的酒吧里都會擠滿球迷。在那里，你很可能會和陌生人喜極而擁，或是和所有人都喝上一杯。

In short, there really is something for everyone in the World Cup. It's one of the few events in the world that truly unites us all, and it only takes place every four years. Trust me when I say that's a long time to wait if you miss the boat this time around.

簡而言之，世界杯對每個人都很重要。它是世界上為數不多的盛事，能真正將我們團結起來，而且四年才有一次。相信我，如果你錯過了今年的世界杯，那你要等上很久了。