World Cup: The world is watching

SALT LAKE CITY — Regardless if a person is a casual fan or a die-hard, a hater or a hooligan, a couldn't-care-less or a live-and-die-by-it follower, for better or worse, the World Cup kicks off today.

This is the 80th meeting of the globe to crown the world's best country in soccer. It began in 1930 and has taken place every four years except a two-Cup hiatus during World War II. But this year's edition is unique in that it is the first time it has been hosted on the continent of Africa, being played in the country of South Africa. Mexico faces the hosts to get the party started, and it will continue to roll until the final game on July 11. The United States gets into action early when it faces England on Saturday in one of the most anticipated soccer games this country's seen since it hosted the Cup in 1994.

Seen is the right word for 2010. National networks ABC and the ESPN families have teamed up to give this Cup unprecedented coverage. Every game will be broadcast in HD. Add to that the expanded access online and on cell phones, and more people in this nation will be viewing or following games than ever before. According the Associated Press, research by Nielsen found that 23 percent of American fans planned to keep up with the tournament in some way using their mobile phone — that's roughly 150 million people.

So what can the fans following the Cup expect? The usual soccer powers should be the story — with a few Cinderellas popping up to keep things interesting.

Spain is the favorite to win the whole thing. Coming on the heels of their Euro 2008 victory, the Spaniards have the most complete team loaded with talent. Brazil is the other team people have tabbed as a team to beat, and as the winners of five Cups, has the pedigree to back that feeling. Argentina, England, Holland, Germany and the defending champions from Italy round out the list of top favorites. In other words, the same countries that compete for the world title in most tournaments are once again the main players.

A big story will be which team can join the ranks of the regular contenders. The 2006 Cup had Ukraine advance to the quarterfinals, and even more shocking, the 2002 event had Turkey and South Korea in the semifinals. Will there be a surprise team that jumps up and joins the usual big players on the dance floor?

Outside of the eventual champion, and perhaps even equal to it, the biggest story locally coming from South Africa will be how well the U.S. fares. A strong showing could lift soccer in this country to unprecedented heights, while a poor one could return the casual fan back to the it's-not-for-me attitude.