NEW YORK, June 8 — The start of the World Cup is just one week away — the first match is June 12 in Sao Paulo. In most countries around the world, the Cup is a highly anticipated and religiously followed, twice-a-decade event. Here's a look at the World Cup by the numbers with Bloomberg Businessweek’s Brendan Greeley. — Bloomberg

The World Cup is an event highly anticipated around the world. Former England national team player Michael Owen (second left) poses with fans during a World Cup promotional event at a shopping mall in Hong Kong June 8, 2014. — Reuters pic