Peter Smith Football Development Officer WaiBOP Football

As you read this article Netherlands and Argentina have headed to extra time in their World Cup semifinal after finishing the regulation 90 minutes locked at 0-0 this morning.

This is a day after Germany thrashed Brazil 7-1, handing the host nation its heaviest World Cup loss ever at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

The competition is being hailed as the best world cup ever with the style and standard of play captivating even the non-football following public.

If viewing figures are anything to go by it's once again confirmed its place as the biggest sporting event on the planet, with more than 3.8 billion viewers watching the action.

And with the final still to be played this figure will be pushed considerably higher.

Every single country in the world has broadcast action from Brazil, including remote regions like Antarctica and even the Arctic Circle.

It seems football has now finally broken the stranglehold of sports in the USA with the United States' game against Portugal being viewed by 24.7 million domestic viewers – more than the NBA finals or the 2013 Baseball World Series.

Preparations are well underway for the FIFA U20 World Cup, which will be hosted in New Zealand next year between May 30-June 20.

This will be a massive event with the FIFA U20 World Cup being the third biggest sporting event in the world behind the World Cup and the Olympic Games.

Hamilton's Waikato Stadium has been chosen as one of the tournament venues, giving Bay of Plenty residents the opportunity to see the stars of the next FIFA World Cup on our doorstep.

For more information, visit www.fifa.com/u20worldcup or contact your local club.

On a regional level, coach education still remains one of our key objectives with regards to developing our game and the players within it.

Our Coach Education Calendar can be found atwww.waibop.co.nz

The region has representation in the ASB Premiership again this summer season, with WaiBOP United once again competing at the nation's highest level.

Scouting is well underway with players from around the region being watched by a network of scouts under my guidance as head coach.

As always, the team will require the support of the football fraternity across the region to ensure the season is a success.

Sponsorship packages are available. For information, emailpeter.a@waibop.co.nz