It all starts with a dream. Two-hundred-and-eight nations vie for a chance at World Cup glory. Thirty-two, each with a 23-man roster, make the final stages of the global tournament. In the United States alone, there are an estimated three million registered youth players. Each, at one point or another, fantasizes about wearing a U.S. national team uniform. Those numbers don’t require intricate mathematical equations to reveal an essential truth: Realizing the World Cup dream is hard.
For Maryland-born Kyle Beckerman, 32, representing the United States on soccer's biggest stage has been the aim since he first laid eyes on a shirt emblazoned with the American crest. In our World Cup Week cover story, “Can He Kick It,” Adam Silvers details Beckerman’s humble ambition, rise from obscure squad player to captain of his club team, Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake, and emergence as an indispensable component of manager Jurgen Klinsmann’s plan for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Finally given a shot after 14 years of professional play, the dreadlocked Beckerman embodies American never-say-die attitude. Heralded by teammates as the ultimate team player, Beckerman proves that the right mix of talent and determination makes even the most improbable goal possible.
Each of the 32 nations competing in Brazil has a Kyle Beckerman. For every household name, prodigious talents like Argentina’s Lionel Messi or Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, there are dozens of athletes who’ve fought through blood, sweat, and tears to represent their country.
The fully interactive Complex World Cup Guide presents a mobile-optimized 3D environment for an immersive look into each of the competing nations, bound to be the perfect barstool companion throughout the tournament. The guide features individual cards for all 32 teams, with info running the gamut from squad breakdowns to most-hyped players, and even (in homage to Beckerman) the guys with the coolest haircuts. It’s everything you need to know to enjoy a month of the beautiful game—wherever you’re watching.
Click the icon below to read both the Beckerman story and our interactive guide.
