This is funny
Try out this for a 'curse':
In 1982 (the year on which everything hinges) Italy won the World Cup. 4 years before and 4 later it was won by Argentina. 8 years before (1974) and 8 later (1990) Germany took it. 12 before (1970) and 12 later (1994) it was Brazil. 16 before (1966) and 16 later (1998) the host nation won (England, France). 20 before (1962) and 20 later (2002), again Brazil. 24 before (1958) and 24 later (2006), the Champion beat the host (Brazil beat Sweden in the final match in 1958 and Italy knocked out Germany in the semi-final in 2006).
In 1954, a new team won the world cup (Germany's first title), so is in 2010 (either Netherlands or Spain). In 1950 Uruguay beat the host, Brazil, 2-1 in the famous match known as the "Maracanazo". In 2014 the host nation is again Brazil. The spooky thing about this historical symmetry is that in 1946 there was no World Cup (World War II had ended the year before) and the same thing happened in 1942. So lets hope were not in a similar situation in 2018 and 2022. Just in case, somebody had better make sure Germany doesnt win the World Cup this year.