Newley Purnell

BUSAN, South Korea (Ticker) — The World Cup — the biggest and most significant sports event in the world — begins Friday when defending champion France meets Senegal at 7:30 a.m. EDT.

Here’s another excellent article about the World Cup’s importance throughout the world.

The World Cup, the world’s most-watched sporting event, begins next week. In “The World’s Game Is Not Just a Game,” Simon Kuper describes how soccer and politics are intertwined.

David Brooks on “The Merits of Meritocracy: Can self-fulfillment build character?”

“ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED BY HAVING MY ARMS RIPPED OFF BY A POLAR BEAR.” Brilliant.

“John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Goes On Wild Endowment Binge.”

Jose Luis Chilavert, Paraguay’s goalkeeper, vows that he’ll score score against Spain in the World Cup. He’s scored 50 goals on penalties and free kicks in his career, and if he delivers on his promise, he’ll become the first goalkeeper to score in the World Cup.

AirlineMeals.net. “You fly, you get food. You like it or you don’t. But you eat it.”

“After Strom: Can a cracker-barrel fabulist capture South Carolina’s Senate seat?”

England’s World Cup squad was announced this morning. Discussion regarding the team can be found here.