Three great World Cup activities

World Cup ranking - Students explore the ranking formulated from each team's previous 4 years of play in their geographical divisions.  The formula is complex and weighted. Is it fair?  5.OA, 5.NBT, 5.NF.B, 6.NS.B, 6.EE, 6.SP, 7.EE, 8.F, 8.SP, HSA

World Cup draw - How did FIFA sort the 32 world's strongest soccer teams and support each geographic region?  Are the first round groupings fair?  7.SP, HSS.MD, MP1, MP3

World Cup - How many ways - Students examine the rules and order of play and calculate or count how many games will be played in each group play, by all teams, and by the winning teams.  4.NBT.4, 7.G.1, 7.SP.8, MP1