Let World Cup Craze Begin!
开启世界杯狂欢模式！
导读：四年一届的世界杯开始了！不是球迷？对足球根本一窍不通？请不要在这些细节，因为还有很多理由让你加入围观世界杯的队伍，开启世界杯狂欢模式！
I'm not a soccer fan, not even a person who knows much about soccer. But like a sizable part of the world's population — an estimated 1 billion people — I've planned part of this summer around one event in particular: the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
我不是球迷，对足球的了解也不多，但是和大多数地球人（约10亿）一样，2014年巴西世界杯仍然被列入了今夏计划之中。
From June 12 to July 13, the soccer world championship is probably the planet's most popular sporting event. And the World Cup has long enjoyed a high level of popularity in China, despite the country's low competitiveness in the sport.
从6月12日持续到7月13日的世界杯也许是地球上最受欢迎的体育盛事。在中国，尽管国足不给力，但是国人仍然对世界杯充满热情。
So, why is the World Cup such a big deal to a layman like me and billions of others?
那么，世界杯到底为什么如此重要？即使对于成千上万像我这样的门外汉也不例外？
Many are in it for the spectacle. For some, it's the coming together of people from all over the globe. And for others, it's a rooted way of life in their country.
许多人被它壮观的场面吸引。而对一些人而言，这意味着和全世界的人相聚在一起；对另一人而言，这已成为他们国家根深蒂固的生活方式之一。
No hard feelings if you haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet, so long as you give it a chance.
只要你肯给自己一个机会，如果你不是某些球队的铁杆粉也没关系。
Let's start with star power. The biggest event in soccer certainly attracts many of the sport's biggest names and sees them fighting to lead their country to glory. Ever heard of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? In the World Cup games, you get to see players as good as them giving their best performances. But despite being the world's two best soccer players, neither has won a World Cup. The beauty of soccer is that having one superstar guarantees you nothing. Both rely heavily on their 10 teammates to defy the odds.
让我们从认识球星开始。世界杯作为最大的足球盛事，无疑会吸引众多体育界的大咖，让人可以一睹他们带领自己的队伍为国家荣誉而战的风采。你可听说过梅西和C罗？世界杯上，你可以看到像他们一样优秀球员的最佳表现。梅西和C罗虽然是世界杯最佳球员，但是只有他们是不可能赢得世界杯冠军的。只有球星一人并不能带来胜利：这正是足球的魅力所在。梅西和C罗能够排除万难取得突破，都依赖于他们的10位队友。
Yes, soccer games can be boring. But in the total of 64 games during the World Cup, the odds of on-field drama are much higher. One-sided victories, last-minute turnarounds, penalty shootouts — history always repeats itself by offering exciting matches.
的确，球赛有时会很无趣。但是世界杯有64场比赛，总会看到许多有趣的戏剧性场面。压倒性的胜利，最后一分钟的反转，以及点球大战——历史总是在激动人心的比赛中上演。
If star power and drama can't convince you to pay more attention to the tournament, you'll certainly enjoy the parties.
即使球星和戏剧性的场面还是不能吸引你，你也一定能享受世界杯带来的各种聚会。
Around the world, hundreds of thousands will pack public spaces for viewing parties complete with food, beer and other activities. If you're more into the pub scene, many bars will be packed shoulder-to-shoulder with supporters. There, very likely, hugs will be shared between strangers and rounds will be bought for entire floors.
在世界各地，成千上万人聚集在公共场合，啤酒、食物、狂欢……如果你更喜欢酒吧，很多的酒吧里都会挤满球迷。在那里，你很可能会和陌生人喜极而拥，或是和所有人都喝上一杯。
In short, there really is something for everyone in the World Cup. It's one of the few events in the world that truly unites us all, and it only takes place every four years. Trust me when I say that's a long time to wait if you miss the boat this time around.
简而言之，世界杯对每个人都很重要。它是世界上为数不多的盛事，能真正将我们团结起来，而且四年才有一次。相信我，如果你错过了今年的世界杯，那你要等上很久了。
