Every four years in June, the planet grinds to a halt to witness the pursuit of one of sport's greatest prizes: the FIFA World Cup. With a history populated by legends, scandal and diplomatic incidents, the World Cup has seen more than its fair share of triumph, heartbreak and intrigue - not to mention dictators, temper tantrums and the tears of fully-grown men...Join author Paul Hansford on a journey into the (sometimes dark) heart of The World Cup, where the biggest names in football - Pele, Maradona, Moore, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Ronaldo - forged their legends, and where the weird and wonderful side of the sport - from shoeless strikers and stolen trophies to psychic Dutchmen and doggy disruptions - captures the world's imagination.Complete with a profile of every World Cup from 1930 to 2010, as well as a look at the tournament's cult heroes, footballing superpowers, shocking moments and best conspiracy theories, this is your essential companion to the greatest - and maddest - month in world football.