Even though it comes around comet-like just once every four years, or perhaps precisely because of that, the World Cup's grip on the planet's imagination remains impressive. French fans' delirious chants of ''We're going to Brazil!'' after their team dug deep to defeat Ukraine in the playoffs and Cristiano Ronaldo's joy at his hat trick that qualified Portugal showed how much this most global of sports tournaments means to nations and people alike. The best sides in club soccer are stronger, more balanced and often better to watch than many of the 32 national teams bound for Brazil. More...