World Cup Day 1: What You Need to Know

Rejoice, sports fans, it's finally here! After months of excitement, anticipation and controversy of different stripes, the 2014 World Cup kicks off Thursday

Brazil, the host country of this year's Cup, gets things started with a Group A match against Croatia at 3 p.m. ET in the day's only action. The coming weeks will bring 62 more matches, then the World Cup final on July 13 at Rio de Janeiro's legendary Maracanã stadium. (The USA's first game, for those wondering, is June 16 against Ghana.)

Here's what you need to know to get up to speed for the first day of the 2014 World Cup Read more...