And the countdown is on as Brazil gets set to host the World Cup next week.
Now, football fans are gearing up for what is the world's biggest sporting event.
Now, there's [there are] still concerns over whether everything will be finished on time.
While experts will be looking to ensure the stadiums are in ship shape, players will be keeping their eyes on the ball.
Adidas has made some key design changes to this year's official football,
and Jim Clancy looks at the science behind the Brazuca.
Thirty-two teams will compete for the World Cup at 12 different stadiums across Brazil.
But one thing will be the same for all of them, the ball, a new one.
Adidas has made some changes this time around that could have a major impact.
The new ball, called the Brazuca, will have only six panels compared to eight in the one used in South Africa, and each will be shaped like ninja throwing stars.
The texture of the ball is a bit rougher, with tiny bumps, and longer, deeper seams.
Wind tunnels were used to test the ball's air resistance, or drag.
Despite the reduced number of panels used, the total length of the seams to put together the panels became longer,
which makes the range of the ball speed that creates low air resistance become wider.
The changes should make this ball fly faster with less power.
Adidas says this will improve touch and accuracy, and players are advised not to kick the ball so hard.
The new design should also cut down on knuckling --
sudden jerky direction changes caused when the ball spins very little or not at all.
Because Brazuca has lower lift force when it flies, the so-called knuckling effect will be hard to achieve with this ball.
Now, this could be good news for goalkeepers,
but bad news for someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, who likes to use the effect to score.
On the other hand, the increased spin helps to create the effect that makes the ball curve.
So more players should be able to bend it like Beckham.