It seems like just yesterday that ESPN showed thousands of heartbroken Brazilian faces as the host country fell to Germany 7-1 in the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup

But it’s time again for what is the biggest event in the sports world. Nearly 4 billion people are estimated to tune in and watch the World Cup, which is set to begin June 14 in Russia.

Germany looks to defend its 2014 title and become the most successful soccer team in history, while the United States will be watching on TV for the first time since 1986, having failed to qualify.

Whether the Americans would qualify came down to a final match with a simple outcome: win and they would have been. But they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago, which is the 99th-ranked team in the world and has about the same population as Maine.

Of the teams that qualified, Spain looks to rebound after its shocking first round 2014 exit and capture its second title in eight years. Hopefully, Uruguay’s star striker Luis Suarez has learned elementary school manners and has realized biting the competition doesn’t belong on the pitch.

I predict an all South American final between Brazil and Argentina. Brazil’s Neymar has something to prove after a debilitating back injury left him sidelined during the 2014 Cup. Meanwhile, after Ronaldo won the last two Ballon D’Or MVP awards. it’s time for Argentina’s Messi to step up and reclaim his title as the best in the world on soccer’s biggest stage.

No matter how the Cup ends, those who watch will witness four years of pent-up passion and hard work from athletes who play for an entire country.