Ole, Ole Ole! The World Cup is here

From June 9 to July 9,all eyes will be on Europe's most populated nation and one of the world's leading economic power. Majority of its people adore football, where their association, Deutsche Futball Bund (DFB) founded in 1900, has more than 6 million members belonging to close to 27,000 clubs, with every 5th member younger than 14 years old. Their elite professional league, the Bundesliga, attracts an average of 10 million spectators per season. It is only fitting that Germany will play host to the 18th edition of the FIFA World Cup.

With less than five days to go prior to the start of hostilities, 32 nations spread over six continents will vie for the most prestigious cup in all sporting events. Of the 736 registered footballers, 7 players are preparing for their 4th World Cup - Ronaldo and Cafu of perennial football power Brazil, the hulking goalkeeper Oliver Kahn of host Germany, Mohammed Al Daeya and Sami Al Jaber of Saudi Arabia and Kasey Keller and Claudio Reyna of the USA.

USA goalie Keller, at 36, is the only player going to Germany who was at the 1990 finals. Tunisia's goal keeper Ali Boumnijel is the tournament's oldest player at 40. England's Theo Wallcott is the youngest at 17 and could be the FIFA World Cup's youngest ever scorer, if ever he finds the back of the net in Germany.

The team from debuting Togo was the first to arrive in Germany via Stockholm on May 15. Ivory Coast, Ghana and Angola also arrived early at their German base camps to allow plenty of time for their newly assembled squads to gel. Ukraine will be the last team to arrive, touching down in Berlin on June 9 coinciding with the opening ceremonies.

Two teams from East Asia qualified for the FIFA World Cup and they also came early on German soil. Japan came a week ahead of Korea and has shocked the German team by drawing 2-2 in a friendly match a few day back, which incidentally, has made German team captain Michael Ballack highly critical of coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Both Japan and Korea played tune up matches in January and February as part of an intensive training regimen.

Saudi Arabia arrived in Europe on May 1, spending time in the Netherlands and then in Austria before briefly returning home. They arrived in Frankfurt on May 27. Iran, also training in Austria have just arrived.

The North and Central American teams have prepared well for their dates with destiny. Mexico came from two very prestigious friendlies against France and the Netherlands. Costa Rica, starting off with just six players, ended with a 30-man squad before coach Alexandre Guimaraes selected his final 23.

Team USA, hoping to spring some surprises, arrived in Hamburg on June 2. They have spent so much time together in recent months, banking on their comprehensive preparation program to give them more than a fighting chance on the world's biggest football stage. Coach Bruce Arena implemented a complete physical preparation model designed to provide optimum energy levels needed for his preferred pressing strategy.

Host team Germany have spent their trainings in Sardinia, Geneva and Dusseldorf and has attracted large crowds wherever they go. Brazil, with its talented lineup are also packing in supporters at their training base.

More on the world's most popular game on my next column.

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