The biggest football spectacle is where almost 190 to 200 national teams give tough fights to each other to represent their nation on the biggest platform in the world. As a result, only 32 teams qualify for the ultimate war. It is also a proud moment for any team if they are into one of these 32 teams. The last championship was held in November and football fans around the globe were very excited to watch their favorite players live.
The introductory face-off of the FIFA World Cup was held between Uruguay and Argentina in 1930. The most recent match of the FIFA World Cup was played between Argentina and France from 20 November 2022 to 18 December 2022. It was the 22nd edition of this series, which was held in Qatar, where a total of 32 countries played in the first football World Cup in the Arab world. The FIFA World Cup has been organized every 4 years since 1930, it was not played in 1942 and 1946 due to the Second World War.
Let us take deep into the FIFA World Cup ocean where the greatest players of all time have shown their talents and got their names registered in football World Cup history. Have a look at the countries who have played in these years and get to know about them in detail:
FIFA World Cup Winners
1930 FIFA World Cup Uruguay
There were a total of Thirteen countries that took part in the first face-off of the FIFA World Cup: Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, France, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, USA, Uruguay, and Yugoslavia. In the finals, the host nation Uruguay bags the trophy after defeating Argentina. After the match, a national holiday was declared in the whole country to celebrate their sports heroes’ victory. Jules Rimet, President of the FIFA World Cup presented the trophy to the winners.
1934 FIFA World Cup Italy
The Second FIFA World Cup was held in Europe in 1934 leaving the host nation in all Glory. Games were played in a straight knockout format. There were a total of sixteen teams who qualified for the second World Cup, followed by Italy who won the title after thrashing Czechoslovakia.
1938 FIFA World Cup France
In 1938 Italy became the first nation to hold the World Cup trophy back-to-back twice leaving the host nation in quarter-finals. Vittorio Pozzo is the only man in the FIFA World Cup history, under whose guidance a team grabs the trophy twice.
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1950 FIFA World Cup Brazil
After a long gap from 1938 to 1950, the tournament came back after a long gap of 12 years, it was due to the Second World War. The game came back with a total new format of thirteen qualified teams which were divided into four groups. At first, teams were placed, after that advanced to the final round, and lastly, the round-robin group and the winners were named as champions. In this game, the title was decided through a round-robin series – four teams played consequently named Brazil, Spain, Sweden, and Uruguay.
1954 FIFA World Cup Switzerland
The fifth World Cup in 1954 was won by West Germany, in a memorable final after beating Hungary. The final was going on track and Hungary was leading 2-0 in the first eight minutes after that Germany came into action and reached their level. Helmut Rahn from Germany then came into action and made the team lifting the trophy in the last six minutes of the match and registering his name in the history of the World Cup as the ‘miracle of Berne’.
1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden
Sweden was the host country in the 1958 world FIFA World Cup followed by Brazil, who registered their first victory in World Cup history. A young boy named O Rei forced the world to recognize him after scoring 5-2 in the semi-final in a match with France and made a goal of 1-0 against Wales.
1962 FIFA World Cup Chile
The 1962 FIFA World Cup was won by Brazil. When Brazil won the trophy in Chile, they were the second team to hold the World Cup trophy twice. Pele once again proved himself in the match and played a fantastic game.
1966 FIFA World Cup England
England won their first World Cup trophy in 1996 in their home ground. In Jubilant Wembley stadium England beat Germany and lifted the trophy.
1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico
Azteca witnesses one of the greatest matches in world cup history. As Brazil managed to lift the trophy again in front of a more than 100,000 crowd the magic of Pele once again worked.
1974 FIFA World Cup Germany
After leaving the Netherlands all behind, West Germany lifted their second World Cup trophy in 1974.
1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina
In 1978 Argentina won the World Cup on their home soil, The Netherlands was the runners-up, fighting with Argentina to take home the Golden Boot.
1982 FIFA World Cup Spain
The 1982 FIFA World Cup was won by Italy, this was the third time they were holding the World Cup title. On the grounds of Santiago Bernabeu Spain, history was created.
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1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico
Argentina lifted the trophy of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, which was held in Mexico. Diego Maradona’s performance made the world bow down before him.
1990 FIFA World Cup Italy
1990 FIFA World Cup Italy, was won by West Germany. Germany defeated Argentina and brought the trophy home.
1994 FIFA World Cup USA
The 1994 FIFA World Cup trophy was lifted by Brazil, and Italy was the runners-up. The USA hosted the game.
1998 FIFA World Cup France
Winning a World Cup trophy on your own on your home soil is a proud moment for any team. France lifted the trophy in 1998 making the whole nation proud of them.
2002 FIFA World Cup Korea /Japan
Brazil embarked on their name in the FIFA World Cup history for the fifth time in Korea/Japan in 2002. Ronaldo was the match-winners and took the very Golden Boot in their nation.
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany
Italy became the world champion for the fourth time in Germany under the supervision of legendary head coach Marcelo Lippi.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
In 2010, Spanish people were the ones who lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy which was held in South Africa and the runner-up was the Netherlands.
2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
Germany held the Golden Boot in 2014 by giving Argentina a tough fight in Brazil. It was a study for Germany.
2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
France lifted the trophy of the 2018 FIFA World Cup leaving Croatia behind. It was its first final match against Croatia, which was a proud moment for them but had to face the loss.
2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar
Lionel Messi lifted the trophy as Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup which was held in Qatar.. The Argentinian team faced defeat from South Arabia in the opening match, but Messi’s outstanding performance in the next tournament brought them a victory over Mexico. After that day they continued to win all the way to the finals when they faced France. This was one of the greatest finals in World Cup history.
