The World’s Game @ National Geographic Magazine.

The June 2006 issue of national Geographic magazine covers ‘The World’s Game’ that includes information about teams from 32 nations that will gather in Germany to compete for the World Cup of soccer, the “beautiful game” that unites and divides countries from around the world. National Geographic’s cover story takes a look at the sport that defines cultures around the globe.

A game many Americans have not caught onto yet, soccer serves as a type of religion to a large portion of the world. Like religion, soccer can provoke violence, such as hooliganism and tramplings at overcrowded stadiums. But soccer also can uniquely bridge differences and overturn national prejudices.

Give the world another 50 years, and we might see the World Cup co-hosted by Israel and Palestine. And why not? Soccer’s universality is its simplicity — the fact that the game can be played anywhere with anything. From kicking cans to balls of rags, soccer transcends race and class.

What makes this World Cup, hosted by Germany for the first time, so beautiful is that it is an occasion that brings people together — it’s the joy of being one of the billion of more spectators watching 32 countries abide by 17 simple rules. National Geographic takes you on a tour of soccer around the world.

BONUS: SPECIAL SOCCER SUPPLEMENT. The supplement looks at the global popularity of soccer, tracking national styles and highlighting the skills, science, economics and evolution of the game. Four World Cup living legends are profiled — Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane.