A look at the 2014 World Cup, from "A" to "Z."

A — is for "La Albiceleste"  or the "white and sky blue" in Spanish, Argentina’s nickname from its distinctive uniforms. 

B — is for Bosnia-Herzegovina, a strife-torn, flood-ravaged, economically battered land that looks to its multiethnic team as an example of reconciliation and hope.

C — is for "cheap," as in Iran, which has banned its players from engaging in the traditional post-match exchange of jerseys.

D — is for defense, where Australia, the lowest-ranked team (No. 62) in the field is particularly challenged.

E — is for the embarrassment that was France in the last World Cup. The winless performance was so bad its federation repaid sponsors $6 million.

 F — is for FIFA, Federation Internationale de Football Association, the ruling body of soccer, which often makes the NCAA look like a paragon of virtue. 

G — is for the "Group of Death," denoting the group with the toughest draw. This year that means group "G," where Germany and Portugal are favored to advance over the U.S. and Ghana.

H — is for histrionics. NBA players who flop on the floor have nothing on soccer players who hit the ground as if shot when even slightly touched by an opponent.  

I — is for interviews where the foreign player talks for three minutes and the interpreter simply says, "he will try his best."

J — is for "joga bonito,"  Portuguese for "play beautiful" as epitomized by the flair of five-time champion Brazil.

K — is for U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who is under the gun to win and validate releasing the iconic Landon Donovan.

L — is for "La Pulga Atomica," which means "the atomic flea" in Spanish, the nickname of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, arguably the best player in the field.  

M — is for "Maracanazo," a term meaning a stunning catastrophe and coined in 1950, when Uruguay won the last World Cup held in Brazil, upsetting the hosts 2-1. 

N — is for Germany’s Manuel Neuer, perhaps the best goalkeeper going. Foes claim the 28-year-old can "steer (the ball) over the bar with his eyes."

O — is for outstanding. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, the highest-paid soccer player in the world, according to Forbes, with earnings of $80 million. He has 11 major endorsement partners, 83 million Facebook fans and 26 million Twitter followers.

P — is for passports. Six of America’s 23 players were on other nations’ youth teams.  

Q — is for Qatar, the host of the 2022 World Cup, whose bid has come under scrutiny amid bribery accusations.

R — is for revered and reviled. Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez scores brilliantly and bites opponents.  

S — is for Spain, the defending champion and only European team to ever win a title outside Europe.

T– is for "tiki-taka," one- and two-touch passing as mastered by Spain for monopolizing possession. 

U — is for Uruguay, which has the smallest population (3.4 million) in the field and owns two titles. 

V — is for the vitriolic response Brazilian-born Diego Costa can expect after choosing to play for Spain.

W — is for winner’s share. Champs get $35 million in prize money, others at least $8 million. 

X — is for the "X" factor that Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan will be in the opener after knocking out the U.S. in 2010.

Y — is for youth. Ghana, at an average of 25.44 years, is the youngest in the field.

Z — is for the "Zmajevi" or "dragons," the nickname of Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.