Welcome to the first of a series of posts dedicated to raising the interest in the exciting, upcoming World Cup (WC) in Brazil, kicking off in 10 days time, and to give Chinese readers a chance to feel the laowai experience of these great events. I start naturally in the Home of Soccer, the UK. We really refer to it as Football, but to avoid confusing our American friends, Soccer will also be used. England have won the WC once, when the host nation in 1966, in a tense final versus (West) Germany, where after leading 2-1, England were pegged back to 2-2 right at the end of normal time. However 2 more goals in added 30 minutes saw England win 4-2

The late Sir Alf Ramsey - the only manager of many famous England coaches to win the World Cup

Getting ready to go watch Blackpool FC at Wembley - Blackpool win Play-off Final! Yeah!

At that time, if you had said to a new fan, born in 1967 that they would live out a lifetime of 70+ years and never see a WC held in England again, they would not have believed it! The established pattern was that every other 4 years, the WC was held in Europe. The other time it rotated around South America, North America and more recently Asia. 72 years gives 18 WCs and potentially 9 in Europe. Germany went on to host twice since 1966, and major forces such as France and Italy got their 2nd shot overall, and Spain their first. That pattern remained for 4 decades but in 2007 the goal posts were moved. South Africa already had been awarded the 2010 WC and yet FIFA announced that in 2014 it must go to a South American nation - eventually all other countries in that continent stood aside and Brazil got it unopposed - yet much deserved as a great soccer nation. This broke the tradition, and with a Middle East nation, Qatar, getting the 2022 WC, Europe, having got it through Russia for 2018 (much to England's dismay!), is firmly in a once every twelve years mode. 2026 should really go to Asia, USA or Australia and Europe in 2030. IF England do not get it then, we are looking at 2042! Not many of the 1967 generation will be around by then. Who would have believed: Not in our lifetime?

Wembley Stadium, perfect for a WC Final at 90,000 capacity. This shot by Colin Speakman at the London OIympics Soccer Final 2012

So England fans are resigned to long travels to follow their team. In Europe it is so easy to get the WCs from UK and I took full advantage to attend the WC 1998 in France. I have done the journey from London to Brazil - On British Airways taking 11 hours 40 minutes. It is a great holiday destination too, but for the WC, prices are at a premium and there is some additional local travel to various WC stadia. At least the Home of Soccer is there and that adds to a WC. Come on England! More later!

International Educator, Economist, goal of helping to increase understanding of China by the West

(Opinions of the writer in this blog don't represent those of China Daily.)