(Image source from: 3 things you will be seeing for the first time in this World Cup 2014})

The countdown to world's greatest sporting event came to a close yesterday with the FIFA World Cup 2014 kicking off to a grand start amid star-studded jubilations and a stunning Brazilian victory over Croatia in the debut match of this tournament. And boy oh boy, what a win it was! Yesterday's match set the stage for the most colorful, intriguing World Cup in history to follow. And looking back at the 84 years of its history, it's amazing how much have changed in the game over the years. Don't believe us. Then take a look at the three new things that we bet you will be seeing for the first time in this World Cup.

1) Shaving foam on the pitch
If you remember the 1974 World Cup, just before Brazil was about to bend in a free kick, how Zaire sent one of the lads, Mewpu Ilunga from the wall to clear it even before the ref blew his whistle. 40 years hence, the football federation has finally found a way to deal with the gently simmering issue of encroachment.

For the first time in the history of the World Cup, referees will be using a non-toxic, water-based vanishing spray to draw a foamy circle around the ball and a line 10 yards away to keep that annoying wall at bay. The spray is designed to fade away from the pitch after a minute.

2) Big Head, the soothsaying turtle
Move over Paul, the Octopus, world! It's time to make way for the Big Head, a sleepy 25-year-old turtle residing on the Salvador sanctuary who is the official soothsayer for FIFA World Cup 2014. The Loggerhead turtle will make his predictions by picking one of the three fishes — representing each teams and a draw. Initially, Big Head had predicted Brazil-Croatia math to end in a draw, but slowly, purposefully and menacingly went and devoured the Brazilian fish, indicating that Brazil will prevail in the first match.

3) Goal-line technology
To ensure that the footballers and their crazy fans have nothing to gripe about or dissect and football can be played in peace, the FIFA authorities have devised a unique way to end all those goal-line controversies.

German company GoalControl has installed seven high-speed cameras on each goalmouth from the roofs of all 12 stadiums. When a ball crosses the line, the referee's watch will vibrate and the word ‘GOAL’ will show up on the screen within a second. Issue resolved!

AW: Suchorita Choudhury