While 32 teams are preparing for what they hope will be a triumphant World Cup, there are 32 individuals also looking to impress on the biggest stage in world football: the referees!
As much as we taunt and kick up a fuss over every minimalistic error of judgment these men make, we can all admit that we would not do it ourselves.
It is a tough job, granted, but we must be made well aware that this is as important to the officials as it is to the players. They have trained just as long and hard as the players for this tournament and deserve their place at such a worldwide event.
Here are of five of the tournaments more well known men in black who will officiate in Brazil.
Referee Howard Webb (L) shows a yellow card to Holland's Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (C) as Mark van Bommel and Wesley Sneijder look on ©INPHO/Action Images/Jason Cairnduff
Name: Howard Webb
DOB: 14/7/1971
Country: England
International since: 2005
First International: Northern Ireland vs Portugal – 2005.
Most notable: Euro 2008 final, World Cup 2010 final, Champions League 2010 final.
Name: Cuneyt Cakir
DOB: 23/11/1976
Country: Turkey
International since: 2006
First International: UEFA u19 European Championships
Most notable: Euro 2012 semi-final, FIFA World Club final 2012
Name: Bjorn Kuipers
DOB: 28/3/1973
Country: Netherlands
International since: 2006
First International: 2006 UEFA U17 European Championships
Most notable: Europa League final 2012, Confederations Cup final 2013, Champions League final 2014
Referee Felix Brych ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Name: Felix Brych
DOB: 3/8/1975
Country: Germany
International since: 2007
First International: Romania vs Luxembourg – 2007
Most notable: Champions League semi-final 2012, Europa League final 2014
Goalkeeper Jan Mucha booked by referee Pedro Proenca for time wasting ©INPHO/James Crombie
Name: Pedro Proenca
DOB: 3/11/1970
Country: Portugal
International since: 2003
First International: U19 European Championships (including Turkey vs Spain final) 2004
Most notable: Champions League final 2012, European Championship final 2012
