World Cup Begins!

Today's opening match between host Brazil and Croatia will be played at 4 p.m. ET in São Paulo's 61,000-seat Arena de São Paulo (to be called Arena Corinthians after the World Cup) and broadcast in the U.S. on ESPN.  While 11 students were fortunate in 2010 to have attended the opening match between South Africa and Mexico in 95,000-seat Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, we were not so lucky this time.  However, the ten students on this trip will be treated to three matches at Brazil's famed Estádio do Maracanã (77,000 capacity) in Rio de Janeiro, regarded as the sport's high temple.