Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth!

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Strap yourself in, make sure your diary is clear until July 11 and get set for a fantastic fiesta of football. The 19th World Cup, being held in Africa for the first time, is almost upon us.

TIME will be covering every kick (penalty, free and those in open play), card (red and yellow) and the all-important goals (at both ends of the pitch) in great detail.

We’ll have pieces from South Africa as well as top 10 lists, photo galleries and videos and they’ll all be right here, on our very own World Cup blog, where TIME’s football mad writers will be weighing in every day with their take on the unfolding action.

As always, most of the world’s best teams and players are taking part, all desperately hoping to get their hands on the famous trophy and etch their name into football folklore. There will be twists and turns and TIME will be there for every kick along the way. If you can’t be there in person, we hope this will be one of the best seats in the house!