The greatest show on the planet is about to start and let's hope the World Cup in Brazil proves to be a carnival because the game needs it.
After a build-up which has been dogged by controversy over the dealings of FIFA, protests in Brazil over the funding for the competition and doubts over how ready the facilities will be, football needs a strong World Cup just to lift the gloom, and the prospects are good.
The continued furore over Sepp Blatter's decision to stand again as FIFA President and UEFA's opposition, plus the ongoing investigations into corruption, threaten to tear football apart at international level. It could end in a civil war and threatens the future of the World Cup.
However, for one month football has a chance to showcase why it is the most popular sport on the planet and the fact the competition is in Brazil, the country that has embraced the game the most after an Englishman introduced football to its' shores, certainly whets the appetite.
Football has that power to lift the populous, certainly in this country. Every tournament is initially greeted with anticipation as the flags come out, hanging from bedroom windows and fluttering from cars.
Of course, how quickly they are pulled back in again depends on Roy Hodgson's men and how they perform in Brazil.
It seems, for the first time that I can remember, there isn't a lot expected from Hodgson's men. Despite qualifying well, England are not tipped to make much progress during the tournament and just getting out of a group which also includes Uruguay, Italy and Costa Rica is being seen as success.
But England can be the surprise package in competition if Hodgson has the courage to unleash his exciting young players like Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley.
As City demonstrated in the past, young players can play without fear and adopt a positivity that is refreshing. They are unburdened by any residual scars from previous failures.
Obviously there needs to be experienced players around them, something City addressed last season to devastating success.
England have that experience within this group and I believe they will be an exciting, attacking side to watch.
Defensively England may not be as solid as in previous competitions, and that could prove to be their downfall, but I expect them to be brave and if they go down they will do so having at least had a go.
It is hard to look further than Brazil or Argentina as eventual winners, although there could be a few dark horses such as Uruguay, and never completely write off the Germans.
There is also a fantastic collection of world class players on show. Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Aguero and Ronaldo are all fit, and that is fantastic for the competition, even if Luis Suarez's return to fitness might not be for England.
After a month without competitive football to watch, since the end of Leicester City's historic season, I am sure City fans everywhere will now be refreshed and ready for a month-long football feast.
With three games a day during the group stages and kick off times handily set for 5pm, 8pm and 11pm GMT, I suspect there will be a lot of couples who will be living separate lives for the next month.
Plus, for the first time since 2002, we have a City player to follow.
Good luck to Riyad Mahrez and Algeria.
