The football World Cup was conducted in 12 cities across Brazil between June 12 and July 13, 2014. Thirty-two teams, which had come through qualification matches played between June 2011 and November 2013, participated in the final championships. For the group stage, which was conducted between June 12-26, the 32 teams were drawn in eight groups. Each team in a group played three matches. Spain, the title-holder, was eliminated after the first two games. Nor did England and Italy, two former World Cup winners, make it to the Round of 16. There was disappointment, which I shared, but nobody complained and the tournament moved on. The group stage was highly entertaining, producing a World Cup high of 136 goals. The knockout stage began on June 28 and ended on July 13 with a stirring finale at the Maracana.