In case you hadn’t noticed, what with the Premiership reaching its most exciting (and borderline surreal) conclusion since Sergio Aguero’s last-minute winner in 2012, Brazil is preparing to host the World Cup this summer, welcoming the finest players and most fervent fans that the planet has to offer. At the same time a host of YouTube channels are also looking to serve your every need as the tournament approaches. 

Organisers FIFA are in the midst of a 100-day countdown featuring World Cup goals scored by the host nation (check out this classic free-kick from Garrincha in 1966). The channel also profiles all the teams battling to reach the final on Sunday, July 13 at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. 

In the run-up to on-pitch hostilities, football lifestyle channel Copa90 have sent their very own Football Virgin, Maya Jama, to scope out the 12 cities that will provide the backdrop to the competition: visiting the stadia, finding out more about football in the country and — let’s face it — having what looks like a wonderful time in the sun. 

Another person hoping that their day in the sun has come is England Manager Roy Hodgson, who is set to announce the squad he will take to Brazil on May 12 in a press conference that will be streamed live at youtube.com/England from 2pm. If you can’t wait that long, the channel also features his thoughts on fan expectations and the group stage England must navigate at the tournament, alongside all the action from the nerve-racking qualification process. 

Other national teams with official channels on YouTube include Brazil, Mexico, Spain, The Netherlands, Australia, Japan, Uruguay, Italy, France, Nigeria, Ghana, The USA and Belgium. 

If the prospect of blanket football coverage leaves you cold, come and see what we have on offer at the UK Spotlight channel or strike to the YouTube Music page for something completely different…

Jamie Dolling, YouTube UK, recently watched “Chilly Gonzales talks Daft Punk".