FIFA World Cup: Welcome to Atlanta

The World Cup is coming to the United States and, more specifically, my home city of Atlanta. The truth is, we southerners aren’t big on the soccer thing. Sure, most kids played on a team when they were three, some even made it a phase in middle school, but there is a different energy over the city now than there would be if the Super Bowl were in town.

So, in order to boost some excitement, here is the World Cup, but explained in a way College Football fans would understand.

Imagine if, for four years, each conference competed internally to decide who qualifies for the playoffs. Much like College Football today, the FIFA format has grown to allow more teams this year. The 48 qualifying teams will then be placed into 4 groups of 12, where they will compete further. Think of this like the Rose, Sugar, Orange, and Cotton bowls.

A win equals 3 points, a tie is 1 point, and a loss, of course, is 0. The two top-scoring teams (conference champs and runner-ups) and 8 highest-scoring third-place teams will then advance to the real show, the knockout round. This is the part of the playoffs that gives us moments like the Ohio State kick on New Year’s Eve 2022. It’s win or go home at this point, and a tie leads to overtime featuring penalty kicks.

The best way I can describe penalty kicks is to imagine each team has their best 5 kickers kick a field goal. Whoever makes the most goals wins the game. Like other tournaments, teams compete in a Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and Final Four. The winner becomes the World Champion until the next FIFA World Cup.

Now that you understand how the World Cup works, please try to also read up on MARTA and Atlanta Traffic before you come into town. We’re already full.