World Cups are by their very nature colorful events, with football fans traveling from around the world to support their countries with singing, chanting, face-painting and national flags.
This year's tournament in Russia will be no exception but over the last 88 years — since the first World Cup in Uruguay — which fans have made a name for themselves for creating a football fiesta?
Brazilians (Every World Cup)
All Latin American fans tend to be fairly colorful and this year the Panamanians are expected to make a particular splash as they qualified for their first ever World Cup, ahead of the United States.
The Mexicans, with their huge flags, sombreros and mariachi bands, are always a spectacle but the Brazilians are in a class of their own.
Brazil has qualified, or hosted, every tournament since 1930 and the fans travel in huge numbers even when — as is often the case — the World Cup is in Europe, Asia or, as in 2010, in Africa.
Occasionally the “Seleção” — the team out there on the pitch in the famous gold and blue — fail to meet their expectations but the fans always give amazing support.
Irish (1990, 1994 and 2002)
Scotland's Tartan Army famously rocked Argentina in 1978 and enjoyed their trip to Spain in 1982 but they have failed to qualify in recent years as the national team's stock has fallen.
England fans — who travel in large numbers — usually grab the headlines only for their drunken…
