Millions of people around the world are about to get the fever, if they don't already have it. No, I'm not talking about a new pandemic. It's a phenomenon that occurs every four years and knows no boundaries. Its side effects are felt across the globe, no matter what age, social or economic status, race or creed. And you can expect it to be at its peak as the World Cup 2010 gets under way June 11 in South Africa.

While soccer fever has gained some traction only in recent years in the United States, in the rest of the world the game known as “futbol” has been considered the sport of kings for decades. It is estimated that more than 25 billion people around the world tuned in to watch the FIFA World Cup tournament in Germany in 2006. It is, without a doubt, an international addiction.

Among the 32 teams that will be fighting for the glory of the trophy and the title of world champion in South Africa, eight are from the Western Hemisphere: Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Honduras and the U.S.

This year, participating in the World Cup is especially important for Honduras, since this is only the second time it has qualified for the games, after the 1982 championship in Spain. What makes it more compelling is that the team earned a chance to take part in the finals while the country was in the midst of political chaos. Then-President Manuel Zelaya was ousted in a military coup that followed months of violence and political instability. Not only did the team achieve the unexpected, but it was able to get Hondurans to put their political woes aside for a short time and bring the country together behind it.

Getting a chance to play in the World Cup is the ultimate accomplishment for the 732 athletes scheduled to participate. Top players who are paid millions of dollars by the world's most popular football clubs put their loyalties aside for the honor of representing their national teams at the international championship. Cristiano Ronaldo earns $18 million a year from Spain's Real Madrid, but will be playing for Portugal in the World Cup. Argentinean superstar Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player, earning more than $44 million per year from Barcelona, Spain. But for at least a month, his allegiance will be with his country. 

As for many of the die-hard fans across the globe, the ultimate dream is to attend the games, or simply be in South Africa and partake in the contagious enthusiasm. But getting there is one tough task.

A Honduran fan, for example, would have to travel 8,170 miles from Tegucigalpa to Johannesburg at an average cost of $3,000, just for airfare. Then add thousands more for hotel accommodations, meals and game tickets. When you consider that the current minimum wage in Honduras is $290 a month, it would take at least a year and a half or more of savings, without paying any other living expenses, to get a chance to see the team take the field after 28 years. Not easy for someone living in the second-poorest country in Central America.

So it's fair to say that most fans around the world will not have the chance to sit in a South African stadium and cheer for their home team, paint their faces the colors of their flag and show their nationalistic spirit. They'll have to do it from home, sitting in front a television set or listening to the radio or following it online, miles away from the action. And you can bet they will.

This is one time, every four years, when all troubles will be put aside. No financial crisis, political turmoil, oil spill or armed conflict can keep fans away from following the World Cup -- only maybe an act of God that cuts off communications.

Soccer, like no other sport, as we saw in Honduras, has the ability to unite a divided country, bring happiness to the desolate and provide hope to the hopeless. With a simple blow of a whistle at the start of a match, all differences are put aside, and for 90 minutes soccer fever and national pride are at their highest peak. The fever might begin to subside after July 11, but let's hope the pride stays.

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(Maria Elena Salinas is the author of “I AM MY FATHER'S DAUGHTER: LIVING A LIFE WITHOUT SECRETS.” Reach her at www .mariaesalinas.com)

© 2010 by Maria Elena Salinas

Distributed by King Features Syndicate