Once the largest soccer stadium in the world and the temple of Brazilian soccer, the Maracanã got off to an inauspicious start at the 1950 World Cup when close to 200,000 spectators in the brand-new stadium saw Brazil lose the cup final to arch-rival Uruguay. (The loss still hurts -- if you want to taunt a Brazilian soccer fan, just mention the 1950 Cup. Fortunately this was only a temporary setback -- Brazil went on to win five World Cups.) The best way to experience the Maracanã stadium is with a couple hundred thousand other fans at one of the big games. For those who don't have that opportunity or want a behind-the-scenes look, there are guided tours. An English-speaking guide takes visitors through all floors of the stadium, including the dressing rooms, all the while delivering a seemingly endless stream of Brazilian soccer trivia.