Beginning on June 11, 32 football (also known as soccer) teams will duke it out in one of the most widely viewed sports events on the planet the International Federation of Football (FIFA) World Cup. While the teams competing in South Africa will try to earn their respective countries the title of best in the world, a separate game will be playing out on the commercial battlefield. Extraordinary global interest has made the World Cup a key testing ground for corporate sponsors, especially the sports-related brands that invest significantly in the event and its participating athletes. The month-long tournament is a chance for the companies to see if they are competing with a winning strategy.