The 2014 World Cup just kicked off in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Guest host Raquel Cepeda spoke to journalist, mathematician and author Alex Bellos straight from Sao Paulo, about what to expect this year. In his book, “Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life” Bellos tells the story of how soccer became Brazil’s national sport. He paints a portrait of the South American nation through anecdotes, secret stories behind some of the most memorable games, and even the history of racial mixing that made Brazilian soccer what it is today.

 In 2014, the nation of soccer is host to the World Cup. But instead of carnaval, there have been massive protests. Bellos tells us what the mood is on the ground and what victory or defeat would mean for the soccer-crazed nation.

Alex Bellos studied mathematics and philosophy at Oxford University. He’s presented and produced documentaries and reports on soccer for the BBC, Al-Jazeera and National Geographic. His book “Football — The Brazilian Way Of Life” tells the story of how soccer became Brazil’s national sport.

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