The 'Other Side' of World Cup Soccer

"Football is the great metaphor and the Cup the supreme example of a shared experience allied with individuality." These are words of internationally renowned author, Paulo Coelho. What differentiates soccer from other sports is the level of emotions displayed both by spectators as well as the players during a game. In this context, Keir Radnedge, former editor of World Soccer magazine says, "The game is about emotion- from utter depression to embracing euphoria and all the beats of the human heart in between."

Apart from the ecstasy and frustration, cheering and jeering, accolades and brickbats associated with each game in the tournament, there is another arena quite vivid and significant associated with World Cup soccer and that is fashion.
You browse through any newspaper, magazine or website providing updates on the World Cup and you surely can't miss out on the variety of fashion statements displayed both by models promoting various accessories on behalf of several corporate entities and also by the cheerleaders, who incidentally form a more significant chunk in this context.
Some fashion statements are really cool while some look wierd and crazy. But then, its that craziness and passion about the game that they wish to project. Face painting, body painting, designer head shaving, wearing wacky wigs, clothes and accessories.

There seems to be a plethora of style statements displayed by the cheerleaders,

which definitely adds to the razzmatazz associated with the tournament.
The Brazilians have always been found to be frontrunners when it comes to cheering their team throughout the tournament and more often than not the Brazilian ladies ensure to promote a distinct style statement and thus become the cynosure of photo journalists worldwide.

One reason behind the Brazilians grabbing a major share of eyeballs is the fact that Brazil always remain 'the favourite' team in any edition of the World Cup.

Lately, it has been observed that cheerleaders of other football teams are equally vocal in their support and fashion statement. Even a relatively conservative country like Iran has received tremendous support from its

female cheerleaders who have tried to make the most of their team's ephemeral existence in the competition.

The highlight of the fashion displayed by the cheerleaders supporting various countries is that thecolours and flavours of the home country are aptly packaged in it. It is this display of unique jingoism that makes the cheerleaders an integral part of World Cup soccer.

Just like the cricket World Cup, the corporates chip in with a range of offers and products during the soccer world cup too. But then the kind of incredible ideas that go behind their product developments and promotions are simply outstanding.

A recent trend which has been observed is that even the footballers' better halves actively participate in various ramp shows held during or before the start of the World Cup and create their own fan following in the process.

Frankly speaking, the World Cup soccer is not just about football but also about the glamour and glaze associated with it which surely will keep increasing with each subsequent edition of the World Cup. The one month event thus not only offers a rocking time to the football enthusiasts across the globe but also a rollicking time to those who simply love that 'other side' of World Cup soccer.