This summer, many people will be riveted to coverage of the World Cup. More than 27 million Americans watched the final game of the last tournament in Brazil. The 2018 edition will bring the sport��s greatest stars together, but who will take home the trophy�Dfavorites Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina? Or a surprise�DBelgium, Mexico, Portugal, or Colombia? Stephen Rea breaks down what fans should know about the World Cups past and present. Chapters highlight shocking upsets, the most thrilling games from every tournament starting with the 13 teams that played in Uruguay in 1930, and immortal players such as Pel��, Maradona, Zidane, Iniesta, Beckenbauer, Cruyff. Rea looks at the stars who will light up Russia in 2018�DLionel Messi (Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Paul Pogba (France), Neymar (Brazil), and Thomas M��ller (Germany). The book is often humorous and punctuated with personal anecdotes, passion and knowledge. Stephen Rea is a freelance writer who has been watching the World Cup for four decades. He is originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland but has lived in New Orleans since 2004. A former national newspaper journalist in the United Kingdom, he penned the memoir Finn McCool��s Football Club and writes a weekly column for the official website of the English Premier League club Chelsea.